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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The County fire burning in Yolo and Napa counties has jumped in acreage yet again, with dozens more homes now in the fire’s path.

By Sunday evening, the fire had doubled in size over the course of the day, rising to 32,500 acres with 2 percent containment, Cal Fire said.

The fire began Saturday near the Yolo County community of Guinda, and has since moved into Napa County, officials said.

Approximately 116 structures were reported to be threatened on Sunday evening, nearly quadruple the number that had been in danger at the time of Cal Fire’s morning update.

So far, there have been no reports of injuries, or structures threatened or damaged, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said firefighters have worked throughout the day to establish control lines, but fire
weather conditions remain critical and they’ve seen extreme fire behavior on the incident.

Adding to the challenges are shifting winds that Cal Fire said have created numerous active portions of the fire that have the potential to increase fire spread.

Fire traffic throughout the day indicated that conditions were causing spot fires, with gusting winds in the fire area.

Resource allocations did not appear to have changed significantly from earlier in the day. Assigned are 1,226 personnel, 119 engines, 34 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 27 hand crews and 23 dozers, Cal Fire said.

Mandatory evacuations are in place north of Highway 128, south of County Road 23, east of Berryessa Knoxville Road, west of County Road 89, and in areas served by Highway 128, between Monticello Dam and Pleasant Valley Road, according to the report.

Cal Fire said evacuation advisories are in place north of Quail Canyon Road, south of Highway 128, east of the Blue Ridge mountains and west of Pleasant Valley Road.

There also are numerous fire-associated road closures, including northbound County Road 87 from Highway 128; Berryessa Knoxville Road, from the Pope Creek Bridge to the Napa/Lake
County line; eastbound Highway 128 at Markley Resort; and westbound Highway 128 at Pleasant Valley Road.

Officials said Pleasant Valley Road, south from Highway 128 remains open to serve traffic into Solano County.

Cal Fire said full containment is expected on July 6.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A wildland fire in Yolo County grew dramatically on Saturday and into Sunday morning, tearing through thousands of acres and causing evacuations to remain in place.

The County fire, originally the Guinda fire, is burning along Highway 16 in the community of Guida.

On Saturday night it was reported to be 8,000 acres, with zero containment, Cal Fire said.

That number nearly doubled during the night; just after 4 a.m. Sunday, reports from the scene said it had been mapped at 15,000 acres.

It is endangering 30 structures and has resulted in evacuations in an area west of Highway 16 from County Road 63 to County Road 76 and the Murphy Ranch area.

The fire began shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday, and quickly began burning east into canyons and onto ridges.

Radio reports on Saturday night stated that the fire was being pushed by strengthening winds from the north with gusts of more than 30 miles per hour per hour expected. That wind activity slowed as morning approached.

Other factors that Cal Fire said are involved in fanning the fire are high temperatures and low relative humidity, part of weekend red flag conditions.

Assigned resources on Sunday night included 41 engines, eight water tenders, 11 helicopters, 10 hand crews, 17 dozers and nine air tankers, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said the County fire’s cause is under investigation.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews. 
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Using observations from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories, an international team of scientists have confirmed ′Oumuamua (oh-MOO-ah-MOO-ah), the first known interstellar object to travel through our solar system, got an unexpected boost in speed and shift in trajectory as it passed through the inner solar system last year.

“Our high-precision measurements of ′Oumuamua’s position revealed that there was something affecting its motion other than the gravitational forces of the Sun and planets," said Marco Micheli of ESA’s (European Space Agency) Space Situational Awareness Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre in Frascati, Italy, and lead author of a paper describing the team's findings.

Analyzing the trajectory of the interstellar visitor, co-author Davide Farnocchia of the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) found that the speed boost was consistent with the behavior of a comet.

“This additional subtle force on ′Oumuamua likely is caused by jets of gaseous material expelled from its surface,” said Farnocchia. “This same kind of outgassing affects the motion of many comets in our solar system.”

Comets normally eject large amounts of dust and gas when warmed by the Sun. But according to team scientist Olivier Hainaut of the European Southern Observatory, “there were no visible signs of outgassing from ′Oumuamua, so these forces were not expected.”

The team estimates that ′Oumuamua’s outgassing may have produced a very small amount of dust particles – enough to give the object a little kick in speed, but not enough to be detected.

Karen Meech, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Astronomy and co-author of the study, speculated that small dust grains, present on the surface of most comets, eroded away during ′Oumuamua's long journey through interstellar space.

"The more we study ′Oumuamua, the more exciting it gets," Meech said. "I'm amazed at how much we have learned from a short, intense observing campaign. I can hardly wait for the next interstellar object!"

′Oumuamua, less than half a mile in length, now is farther away from our Sun than Jupiter and traveling away from the Sun at about 70,000 mph as it heads toward the outskirts of the solar system. In only another four years, it will pass Neptune’s orbit on its way back into interstellar space.

Because ′Oumuamua is the first interstellar object ever observed in our solar system, researchers caution that it’s difficult to draw general conclusions about this newly-discovered class of celestial bodies. However, observations point to the possibility that other star systems regularly eject small comet-like objects and there should be more of them drifting among the stars.

Future ground- and space-based surveys could detect more of these interstellar vagabonds, providing a larger sample for scientists to analyze.

The international team of astronomers used observations from Hubble, the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Hawaii, and the Gemini South Telescope and European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile.

The paper with the team’s findings appeared in the June 27 issue of the journal Nature.

JPL hosts CNEOS for the agency’s Near-Earth Object Observations Program, an element of the Planetary Defense Coordination Office within the agency's Science Mission Directorate. Hubble is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages Hubble. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore conducts Hubble science operations.

Learn more about asteroids and near-Earth objects at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroidwatch.

For asteroid and comet news and updates, follow AsteroidWatch on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AsteroidWatch. For more information from Hubble, go to https://www.nasa.gov/hubble.

This illustration shows ‘Oumuamua racing toward the outskirts of our solar system. As the complex rotation of the object makes it difficult to determine the exact shape, there are many models of what it could look like. Credits: NASA/ESA/STScI
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Firefighters have contained a small brush fire that broke out late Sunday afternoon near Kelseyville.

The fire was first reported shortly before 4:45 p.m. in the area of Adobe Creek East and Highland Springs Road near the Adobe Creek Dam.

Cal Fire, Lakeport Fire and Kelseyville Fire responded to the incident, which firefighters initially had challenges locating of Adobe Creek Road, based on radio reports.

Reports from the scene said engines also has issues getting into the site, with fire burning on both sides of the access road.

Thanks to the quick response from engines and from air resources – working on the Pawnee fire east of Clearlake Oaks – forward progress was reported stopped just before 6:15 p.m., according to radio traffic.

Cal Fire Division Chief Greg Bertelli told Lake County News that the total acreage was kept to just under two acres.

He said there wasn’t much wind on the fire, but it was burning in heavy brush and timber.

Bertelli said shortly after 6:30 p.m. that hose had been placed all around it, and that numerous ground resources remained on scene and a helicopter continued at that point making water drops.

“We don’t want to take any chances because the weather is still hot and dry and the humidity is still low,” he said.

With conditions remaining hot and dry, Bertelli asked community members to be extra careful so as to avoid causing more wildland fires.

He said the fire’s cause is under investigation.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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The 1847 Benjamin Franklin stamp. Public domain image.


Well into the 1820s in America, sending a piece of mail or package over to the next town was often the most vexing of all problems – that is, if starting point and destination did not both happen to lie on a stage or post line.

Let’s pretend, for instance, that it’s the fall of 1828 and John Moses, carpenter from South Dewbury, Connecticut, is working on the construction of a new building in the nearby town of Bucksboro, some 40 miles from his home.

A chill has come over the land and Mrs. Moses, fearing her dear Johnny will be caught unprepared for these frigid temperatures, wants to send him his favorite knit scarf. How would she get it to him?

Bucksboro is miles off the stage line that ran through South Dewbury. Sending it by mail would be absurd, between having to travel to the nearest post office some ten miles in Dorchester and then paying more for the postman to go out of his way to get to Bucksboro.

After a morning of worry over the subject, Mrs. Moses wraps the knit scarf in some newspaper and sets out for the two-mile jaunt to the nearest tavern, where the local stagecoach regularly stops.

“Well yes ma’am, I can get it to him,” Thackery Ricketts, the stage-driver, admits reluctantly, as if carrying parcels wasn’t the most lucrative side business of his. “Of course, I can’t take it all the way to Bucksboro, but I can leave it over at the tavern at Burntree Corners, and they can send it over from there.”

“Well that’s a pregnant idea!” cries Mrs. Moses with delight, before a cloud crosses her face. “But how much will that cost?”

Squinting eyes appraise his latest customer. “Well, fifteenpence in advance is the regular fee for that distance,” Thackery says slowly.

“My goodness! That’s an awful lot.”

“Well now, let me see. Don’t go tellin’ nobody, but just for you, I’ll make it a shilling.” Delighted at having found a way to get the scarf to her dearest, Mrs. Moses hands the parcel over and returns home.

“Got anybody going to Bucksboro,” Thackery asks several hours later of the landlord of the “Dueling Arms Tavern” at Burntree Corners.

“Jedidiah heads over tha’ way with his wagon on Fridays,” the landlord says.

“Here, got a package for a fella named John Moses. He’s building a new building up there and his wife wanted him to have his scarf. My charges are paid, but no more,” Thackery informs the man before clambering back aboard his stage.

“Here, package for a John Moses, a wandering carpenter working on a new building in Bucksboro,” the landlord tells Jedidiah three days later, on Friday.

Since his destination is beyond Bucksboro, Jedidiah doesn’t have time to go looking for this John Moses character, so he drops the now well-travelled parcel off at the local tavern.

“Eighteenpence owed on it,” he informs the landlord after telling him who it’s for. The landlord, depending on how good a customer this John is, might add an additional shilling on top of the fee to cover his own “inconvenience.”

And so, assuming the knit scarf didn’t get lost on the way, John Moses would receive his wife’s token of love about a week later, and at a cost that in today’s age of free delivery would send most of us into a long twitter rant.

All of this was at no fault to the United States Postal Office—a venerable institution created by the Second Continental Congress in 1774 and further embellished in later years. In many cases in early America, the postman had to hack his way through overgrown paths and risk exposure to the elements in winter and summer. How would he have time to go out of his way to deliver a scarf to some carpenter in Bucksboro?

Well, over the decades, the network of postal routes expanded, following the growth of steamer lines and locomotives. But it took almost a century for the basic system of payments to change from charging collect to paying a flat fee up front.

A major step in that change was the issuing of the first United States postage stamp. The first of these now all-too familiar square pieces of paper went on sale in New York for the first time on July 1, 1847.

The subject of the first stamp was Benjamin Franklin, the Postmaster General for England in the years leading up to the Revolution (among having a few other notable achievements, I’ve been told).

Imagine how happy the Mrs. Moseses of the country were at this latest innovation. Now THAT was a pregnant idea.

Antone Pierucci is curator of history at the Riverside County Park and Open Space District and a freelance writer whose work has been featured in such magazines as Archaeology and Wild West as well as regional California newspapers.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — A wildland fire that began in Yolo County on Saturday afternoon has grown rapidly and resulted in evacuations.

The County fire was first reported shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday at the area of County Road 63 and Highway 16 near Guinda in Rumsey Canyon, according to Cal Fire.

The fire has resulted in evacuations for an area west of Highway 16, with an evacuation center set up at Rumsey Grange Hall, officials said.

The County fire is reported to be moving into canyons and over ridges to the west of Highway 16.

A Cal Fire report issued just after 5 p.m. estimated the fire’s size at 1,000 acres.

About an hour later, radio reports from the scene estimated it had grown to almost 4,000 acres and was up against Blue Ridge in the Knoxville area, where spotting was occurring.

The fire is being driven by red flag weather conditions consisting of high temperatures, gusty winds and low humidities, Cal Fire said

Early Saturday evening, Cal Fire said there were 38 fire engines, 10 fire crews, 12 helicopters, seven dozers and eight water tenders, along with tankers and air attack working the incident.

Hotshot teams also were responding and more resources are on the way, Cal Fire said.

The County fire began shortly before a flareup occurred on the Pawnee fire east of Clearlake Oaks in Lake County, as Lake County News has reported.

That flareup resulted in another mandatory evacuation order for the Double Eagle Ranch subdivision as well as an advisory evacuation for residents south of Highway 20 between Morgan Valley Road and Highway 16.

A short time later, Highway 20 between Highway 53 and Highway 16 also was closed due to fire activity, authorities said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A fast-moving wildland fire that began Saturday afternoon in Yolo County has now moved into Napa County, leading to more mandatory and advisory evacuation notices.

The County fire has grown to 22,000 acres with no containment, Cal Fire said Sunday afternoon.

The fire was first reported just after 2 p.m. Saturday on the west side of Highway 16 near the community of Guinda in Rumsey Canyon.

Cal Fire said it has crossed the Napa and Yolo County line and is burning in the wilderness near Lake Berryessa, west of Woodland.

Overnight, the fire was reported to be very active due to high winds and low relative humidity, which pushed it toward Lake Berryessa, based on radio traffic.

Assigned resources on the incident are increasing. Cal Fire’s Sunday report said 1,064 fire personnel are part of the effort, as are 110 engines, 27 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 29 hand crews and 18 dozers. Air tankers also are working the fire.

Mandatory evacuations have been implemented for the area north of Highway 128 in Yolo County, excluding residences within the city of Winters; south of County Road 23; east of Berryessa Knoxville Road; and west of County Road 89, where agricultural industry traffic will be allowed, Cal Fire said.

Although officials have not reported the fire to be within Solano County, due to its rapid spread the Solano County Sheriff’s Office also issued an evacuation advisory for the areas north of Quail Canyon Road, south of Highway 128, east of the Blue Ridge mountains and west of Pleasant Valley Road.

On Sunday afternoon, Cal Fire said its Incident Management Team 3 – which over the past week has been in charge of the Pawnee fire east of Clearlake Oaks – been tasked with supporting the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit in working to contain the County fire.

Cal Fire said it had set up its operations basecamp for the incident at the Yolo County Fairgrounds, which residents were asked to avoid due to the large equipment.
.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

070118 County fire map by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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“Rt. 66 West to East and Back.” This contemporary quilt pieced by Jackie Owens and quilted by Marian Drain came together from a road trip from Lakeport to Florida stopping at fabric stores along the route. Courtesy photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild invites entries for its 17th annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show.

​The show will be held Saturday, Oct. 6, and Sunday, Oct. 7.

The show organizers are calling for quilts from within the community to include in our show.

Entry forms are available now through Aug. 11 on the group’s Web site, or by contacting Barbara Haddon at 415-209-3044 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You don’t need to be a member of the guild to enter your quilts. There is a need for quilts of all sizes as well as vignettes. Vignettes are small items such as baby quilts, doll quilts, table runners, placemats, garments, totes/purses or small wall hangings.

If you would like to enter your quilt, an entry form must be submitted by Aug. 11.

“Violet.” Beginning quilter Catherine Stone learned paper-piecing from a class given by Kathy Sweet. Stone received a ribbon from VIP Judge Lynne Bruner. Quilting was done by Marian Drain. Courtesy photo.


There is no limit on the number of quilts you may enter but each quilt entered must have its own entry form.

Quilters may choose to have their quilts or vignettes judged or to enter quilts and vignettes without judging. Many quilters find it beneficial to have their quilts judged, learning much from an impartial evaluation. The judges are very positive and will award ribbons in several areas.

The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild’s 17th annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show is held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport on October 6 and 7. The hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The guild welcomes all quilters, prospective quilters, and quilt lovers to its meetings and events.

For more information about the quilt guild, contact Terry Phelps at 707-274-1855 or visit the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild Web site at www.LLQG.org.

“Red, White & Blue Vintage Sampler.” Lela Prather pieced and quilted this traditional quilt with bright red, white and blues. Courtesy photo.
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Stephanie McQueen Schieder submitted this photo of the flare up on the Pawnee fire on Saturday, June 30, 2018, as seen from Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks, Calif.


CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A rapidly moving flareup on the Pawnee fire Saturday afternoon began moving toward Highway 20 and led to a call for evacuations for the Double Eagle Ranch subdivision.

Just before 4:40 p.m. the Lake County Sheriff’s Office ordered a mandatory evacuation for the flareup.

On Saturday afternoon, reports from the scene indicated that an area of slopover – fire that had crossed a control line – in the Pawnee fire area had come alive, with a column of smoke visible from a distance.

The fire grew quickly and shortly before 4 p.m. was estimated to be between 50 and 100 acres in size, according to air attack.

Incident command then ordered evacuation notifications to be made to Double Eagle Ranch, which had just been allowed to repopulate on Thursday following a mandatory evacuation of several days due to the Pawnee fire.

Tankers, air attack, dozers and other resources are being directed to the scene.

At about 4:10 p.m. radio reports indicated there were concerns that the fire was bumping into Highway 20.

Just after 4:15 p.m., air attack indicated that the fire could run for several thousand acres if it isn’t stopped quickly.

Minutes later, it was reported that power was being cut to the Double Eagle Ranch, where evacuations were ordered again.

The sheriff’s office issued the evacuation order a short time later, with an evacuation center to be reopened at Lower Lake High School.

Incident command said the priority was to keep the fire from moving into Double Eagle Ranch.

The head – or most rapidly moving portion – of the fire is near Highway 20 while the heel, where it’s less intense, is in the area of Indian Valley Reservoir.

At around 4:45 p.m., the California Highway Patrol said Highway 20 from Highway 53 to Highway 16 had been closed due to fire activity.

Just after 5:15 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued an advisory evacuation notice for residents south of Highway 20 between Morgan Valley Road and State Highway 16.

“The Pawnee fire may expand beyond containment and continue to move south with current weather conditions,” the agency reported.

At about the same time, a large fire was burning in the Guinda area in neighboring Yolo County.

That incident, the County fire, was reported to be close to 1,000 acres after 4 p.m. Saturday, based on radio reports.

More information will be published as it becomes available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Conditions on the Pawnee fire on Saturday night led to authorities keeping in place a renewed evacuation order for a nearby subdivision as the fire moved closer to Highway 20.

Cal Fire’s Saturday night update put the fire’s overall size at 13,850 acres, with containment at 73 percent.

Strong north winds were impacting the fire overnight. Shortly before 1:30 a.m. Sunday, the fire was reported to be moving closer to Highway 20.

About an hour later, its activity was reported to have slowed as winds died down.

The fire’s flareup jumped containment lines and pushed toward the Double Eagle Ranch Subdivision off of Highway 20.

The subdivision, which had been under a mandatory evacuation order for several days until Thursday, was ordered to evacuate again due to the flareup.

With 50 structures threatened, residents remained under the evacuation order on Saturday night, Cal Fire reported.

Cal Fire said an evacuation advisory was in effect overnight for the area between Highway 20 and Morgan Valley Road, from Sky High Ridge Road and the county line, Mule Skinner Road from Highway 20 and Walker Ridge Road from Highway 20.

The evacuation center, located at Lower Lake High School, reopened for subdivision residents.

Cal Fire’s Saturday night report said 2,269 firefighters, 94 engines, 26 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 53 hand crews and 25 dozers remain assigned to the incident.

Cal Fire still anticipates the fire will be fully contained by July 3.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has five dogs waiting for their new forever homes this week.

Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of border collie, Labrador Retriever, mastiff, pit bull and shepherd.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

This young male border collie is in kennel No. 11, ID No. 10334. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male border collie

This young male border collie has a short black and white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 11, ID No. 10334.

This female shepherd mix is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 10358. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Female shepherd mix

This female shepherd mix has a short brown and black coat.

She’s in kennel No. 22, ID No. 10358.

This male mastiff mix is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 10191. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male mastiff mix

This male mastiff mix has a short tan and white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 26, ID No. 10191.

This male mastiff mix is in kennel No. 27, ID No. 10192. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male mastiff mix

This male mastiff mix has a short tan and white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 27, ID No. 10192.

This male Labrador Retriever-pit bull mix is in kennel No. 31, ID No. 10082. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Labrador Retriever-pit bull mix

This male Labrador Retriever-pit bull mix has a medium-length brown and black coat.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 31, ID No. 10082.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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Cast members at a practice for the 2018 Shakespeare at the Lake production of “As You Like It,” in Lakeport, Calif. Courtesy photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Keep the squeeze going,” urged John Tomlinson, director of Shakespeare at the Lake’s upcoming production of “As You Like It,” a joint endeavor by Mendocino College and the Lake County Theatre Co. in cooperation with the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and the city of Lakeport.

The play's cast is gathered together for rehearsal, starting the evening off with some team building exercises.

In “Pass the Squeeze,” participants join hands in a circle and squeeze the hand of the person on their left as soon as they feel their own right hand get a squeeze.

The game really gets going when a group member starts another squeeze going the opposite direction.

Nervous energy and giggles aplenty, the team building has officially begun.

The cast, many of whom are meeting for the first time, is an eclectic mix of about 20 actors. Some are very green actors with little experience. Others bring decades of training and have performed in dozens of shows. For at least one, As You Like It will be her very first time setting foot on a stage.

Regardless of their theatrical backgrounds, the cast and crew of the play all have a common goal: to bring quality live theater to Lake County. Hopefully they'll also have some fun along the way.

As rehearsal continues, this proves to be true. Tomlinson, Mendocino College theater instructor and founder of the Shakespeare at the Lake project, moves on to blocking the wedding scene, effortlessly moving actors around the space in a way that makes sense to them and to the audience.

Cast members follow direction, all the while getting to know the script, their characters, and each other. It is great fun to watch their friendships, some existing and some brand new, developing in real time.

Heads tossed back in laughter, joking elbows to the ribs, and silly sideways glances all weave their way through a very productive rehearsal. Having positive relationships with fellow cast members is crucial; a cast is a team like no other. Truly, it's more like a family.

In just a few short weeks, these students-turned actors-turned family will take the stage together in Lakeport's Library Park. They will don tie dye and flowing skirts and proudly present As You Like It, set in the 1960s.

Come be part of the extended hippie family on July 28 and 29 at 6:30 p.m.

The show is completely free of charge, made possible through sponsorships and donations. Concessions, including local beer and wine, will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting student scholarships.

If you are interested in sponsoring the production and supporting the availability of free live theater in your community, please contact Laura Barnes, Lake County Theatre Co., 707-533-3406, or Wilda Shock, Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, 707-263-7576.

For more information, check www.lctc.us.

Cast members of the 2018 Shakespeare at the Lake production of “As You Like It,” in Lakeport, Calif., take part in the “Pass the Squeeze” exercise. Courtesy photo.

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