LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Department of Public Works is planning work on Perini Road this coming weekend.

The agency reported that it will apply a dust palliative on Perini Road, from Seigler Canyon Road (at the end of the pavement) to Big Canyon Road, and as a result Perini Road will be closed to through traffic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 26.

The work will take place weather permitting.

The department thanks the public in advance for its patience and understanding.

The Lake County Department of Public Works can be reached at 707-263-2341.

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – At the request of and in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service and California Department of Fish and Game, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will increase water flows into the upper Eel River to aid the downstream migration of juvenile salmon and steelhead to the ocean.

During periods of increased river flows, those recreating in or near the water should take precautions.

This water release, also known as a block water release, totals 2,500 acre-feet of water and is intended to mimic a spring rainfall event and encourage the ocean-bound juvenile fish to migrate downstream.

The block water release began Friday, May 18, and will last through Thursday, May 24. This coincides with the new moon of May 20, whose dark phase contributes to the downstream migration of these juvenile fish.

Water releases from Scott Dam at Lake Pillsbury will be gradually increased from the current level of approximately 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a peak of about 900 cfs on May 19, and then gradually decreased through May 24 back to normal seasonal flows.

Water levels vary greatly along the stream depending upon the width and configuration of the channel. However, the overall rise in the water level will be within the range expected during natural spring rain events and is anticipated to increase by approximately 1.5 feet immediately downstream of Scott Dam and no more than a few inches at Scotia in Humboldt County.  

The block water release will target salmon and steelhead in the 12-mile reach of the Eel River between Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam north of Potter Valley. The release may also benefit fish that are entering the Eel River from tributaries downstream of Cape Horn Dam.

Prior to, during and after the water release, the California Department of Fish and Game will conduct downstream migrant trapping within the fish ladder at Cape Horn Dam to gather data on fish responses.

Residents and recreationists are encouraged to use extra caution if near or entering the river during the period of increased flows.

The following water safety tips are provided PG&E and the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
 
Know the water

• Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.
• Cold water entering the ear canal can cause vertigo and disorientation. This may confuse swimmers, causing them to venture deeper into the water.

Know your limits

• Swimming in open water is more difficult than in a swimming pool. This increased difficulty results in exhaustion which can potentially lead to drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed
• Cold water causes impairment to the body’s ability to retain heat. This can potentially lead to fatalities as it reduces body heat 25-30 times faster than air does at the same temperature.
• Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous.

Wear a life jacket

• Conditions change quickly in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their skills when boating or swimming. Wearing a life jacket can increase survival time.
• A life jacket can provide some thermal protection against the onset of hypothermia and keep you afloat until someone else can rescue you.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Community Nutrition Expansion Project (CNEP) will be partnering with the Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake to conduct nutrition classes.

Each class will cover a different nutrition topic and there will be food demos and tasting to go along with each topic.

Physical activity will also be included in every class.

American culture today is centered largely on convenience and overconsumption.

One of the most frequent areas that we find convenience is in our packaged and processed food. Unfortunately, these foods are far too often high in fat, sodium, and sugar and low in vital nutrients.

Diets high in these kinds of foods can lead to an assortment of chronic diseases and can also be expensive.

The goal of CNEP is to educate our community about the importance of healthy food, especially fruit and vegetables, and physical activity in order to give Lake County residents the tools they need to live a healthy life on a tight budget.

If you are interested in participating in this class please sign up at Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake at 3245 Bowers Road or by phone at 707-994-3051; all ages are welcome.

The class schedule and topics are as follows:

• Thursday, May 24, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: My Plate.
• Thursday, June 28, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Protein.
• Thursday, July 26, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Grains.
• Thursday, August 23, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Fruit and vegetables.
• Thursday, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Dairy.

Tonia Winkle is the outreach worker for the Community Nutrition Expansion Project and holds a bachelor’s degree in health science from California State University, Chico.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Community Food Bank – a collaborative effort of the Kelseyville United Methodist Church, the Unitarian Universalist Community and Kelseyville Presbyterian Church – is open the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Food Bank is located at the Kelseyville United Methodist Church on Main Street in Kelseyville.

They can always use extra hands. They prepare and bag on the Monday before the giveaway at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church, and they are ready to serve guests at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Donations are gladly accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church or on Sunday mornings at any of the participating churches. All nonperishable items are greatly appreciated.
 
This week the food bank's list of needed items includes peanut butter, cereals (both hot and cold), powdered milk and soy milk, microwave popcorn, family size cans of food and juices, small bags of rice, Rice a Roni, canned fruit and fruit cups, canned corn, soups, ravioli, Beef a Roni, macaroni and cheese, diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, refried beans, jelly and canned tuna.
 
They are looking for organizations to collect food for them. If your nonprofit or event could help them out with collection, it would be greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions, or would like to help us out with a food drive, call Julie at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church office at 707-279-1104.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Starting Tuesday, May 22, county road crews will be working on Bell Hill Road replacing culverts between Renfro Drive and Plunkett Lane.

Hours of operation will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During this time there will be one-way traffic control in effect, with up to 20-minute delays expected.

The Department of Public Works thanks the public in advance for its patience and understanding.

Please drive with caution in this area.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Have gas prices kept you from giving back to others in this recession? Good news!

A special grant has allowed the Senior Peer Counseling and Friendly Visitor programs to reimburse you for your gas as you travel to lend a listening ear to a senior in need.

If you are 55 years old or older and would like to give back, make new friends and learn the secrets of aging gracefully, please call now for our Senior Peer Counseling Spring Volunteer Training beginning Tuesday, May 29.

Learn to help seniors talk through a discouraging time, access services, cope with losses and adapt to the challenges of older age.

Volunteers will learn skills such as compassionate listening, strategic coping, and clear communicating.

Volunteers will share their experiences with other inspirational volunteers, engage in lively discussions about senior issues, and receive weekly training in the gifts and challenges of aging.

You will learn the secrets of increasing peace of mind, reducing stress, recovering from a loss, building healthy relationships and exploring the spiritual advantages of later life.

As a volunteer, you will spend a total of about four hours a week with clients and attending a Tuesday morning group supervision session.

This free training facilitated by psychotherapist and Program Director Kim Baughan Young MFT, and includes experiential practice, movie clips, lively group discussion and even free lunches.

Call Young at Konocti Senior Support today for your application at 707-350-3590.