As the summer season begins to fade, many Californians remain undeterred by financial concerns and will head out the door for a final chance at summer travel for this upcoming Labor Day holiday, according to the latest AAA travel forecast survey.

The latest travel forecast from AAA predicts that more than 3.9 million Californians will travel 50 miles or more from their homes this three-day Labor Day weekend. This represents an overall increase of 1.6 percent compared to last year.

“Californians are more optimistic about their financial situation, and consumer spending continues to outpace disposable income,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “This indicates that Californians are willing to take on debt to finance their end of the summer getaway.”

During this Labor Day weekend, more than 3.1 million Californians driving to reach their destinations. This represents a 1.9 percent increase compared to 2013.

The AAA survey also indicates that more than 500,000 Californians are planning to travel by air, an increase of just 0.5 percent compared to last year.

More than 290,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as rail, bus and watercraft. This represents a slight increase of 0.2 percent over 2013.

Nationally, AAA projects just over 34.7 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the Labor Day weekend, representing a 1.3 percent increase compared to 2013.

The AAA Leisure Travel Index shows that airfares over Labor Day weekend are expected to increase by 2.0 percent, with an average cost of $219 per ticket.

Hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to average $171 per night, an increase of 6.0 percent from a year ago. Weekend car rentals are expected to remain the same as in 2013, with an average daily rate of $51.

What to do when your vehicle breaks down on a roadway:

- Drive to a safe location. If the car is clearly experiencing a problem, drive to the nearest parking lot. If the vehicle stops running but can still coast, guide it to the far right shoulder as far off the road as possible while remaining on level ground.
- Switch on the safety or emergency flashers and keep out of traffic. Turn on the emergency flashers to alert other motorists. Try to get the car completely off the roadway. Consider leaving the vehicle and move to a safer location. Occupants should not remain in a vehicle if there is a possibility it may be struck by other traffic.
- Exit a broken-down car on the side away from traffic. Use extreme caution and watch for oncoming vehicles, especially at night or in bad weather when visibility is limited. Unless your car may be struck by other traffic, stay inside your vehicle.
- Signal other motorists. In addition to turning on a vehicle’s emergency flashers, drivers should alert other motorists that they have a problem by raising the car hood, tying a brightly colored handkerchief or scarf to the antenna or door handle, or setting out flares, warning triangles or emergency beacons. These signals can help other drivers recognize that there is a problem and prompt them to slow down, and proceed with caution.
- Communicate your situation. Once the driver and passengers are in a safe location, request assistance from a road service provider such as AAA. Note surroundings, landmarks, buildings or road signs to help relay your location. Android and iPhone users can also download the AAA mobile app, which provides easy access to roadside assistance, vehicle battery quotes, Approved Auto Repair (AAR) locations, maps, directions, member-exclusive discounts and travel planning.

AAA projections are based on economic research and research by HIS Global Insight.

The Colorado-based firm teamed up with AAA in 2009 as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays.

AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Passion Play's organizers reported that a fundraiser set for next month has been canceled.

The Sept. 14 dinner and silent auction, that was to have been held in Lakeport, was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Organizers hope to resume the fundraiser in 2015.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will meet Thursday, Sept. 4.

The meeting will take place at the Lower Lake Methodist Church Community Meeting Room at 16255 Second St. at 6 p.m.: http://goo.gl/maps/A8oiW .

Guest speakers will be Victoria Brandon, speaking on behalf of the yes on Measure S effort, http://savethelake.info/ ; Daniel McLean speaking on behalf of Measure O, http://www.medicalmarijuanacontrolact.org/ ; and a speaker for yes on Proposition 46, https://www.yeson46.org/ .
 
The agenda for the Sept, 4 meeting also includes reports from representatives for Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and State Senator Noreen Evans, as well as reports from the Stonewall Democratic Club Chair Essie Coons and Lake County Democratic Club representative Paula Mune.

Visit the group's table at the Lake County Fair Aug. 28 through 31 and join them for the annual Legislator’s BBQ and Fundraiser on Oct. 5.
 
Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.
 
The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.
 
For more information about the Democratic Party in Lake County visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org or www.facebook.com/LakeCountyDemocrats .
 
Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake High School volleyball team is holding an all-you-can-eat pizza fundraiser on Thursday, Aug. 28.

The dinner will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at DJ’S Pizza Co. on Main Street in Lower Lake.

The cost is $8 per person, with proceeds benefiting the team.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest will be offering assistance to federal job applicants this Thursday, August 28, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Willits Community Center, 299 East Commercial St. in Willits.

The main focus is on individuals interested in wildland firefighting positions as part of the Forest Service’s Fall Fire Hire, with positions available on National Forests throughout California.

The Mendocino National Forest plans on filling at least 10 positions across the forest.

There are currently four positions in Willows, one in Upper Lake and five in Covelo.

However, as the statewide Fire Hire process evolves, additional vacancies may come open and be filled during the process.

The positions are advertised on USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov .

Applications must be submitted through the USAJobs site.

At the Willits event, Mendocino National Forest staff will be on hand to help navigate the application process, from developing a profile to completing the application.

Interested applicants are invited to attend any time during the event and should be prepared with a resume, work history, transcripts and certificates.

“The application process can be the most difficult part of getting a federal job,” said Forest Civil Rights Officer Ivy Merrick. “From finding and applying to the right vacancy announcement to ensuring that the required information is complete, we want to ensure that interested applicants are successful in moving to the next step for consideration.”

All positions are being filled off of national open-continuous announcements, which are annual announcements typically open from October through the following September.

Although the vacancy announcements have a closing date of Sept. 30, Fall Fire Hire applications must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 5.

Applicants also need to indicate location preferences for National Forests they are interested in to be considered.

A list of vacancies by National Forest is available at http://famcat.us/trackingdb/ .

Application information for Mendocino National Forest jobs is also available by contacting the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316.

“This is a great opportunity for those looking for a challenging and rewarding career working outdoors to protect our natural resources,” Merrick said. “We are especially excited about helping those who want to start a wildland firefighting career on the Mendocino National Forest!”

For more information on the Mendocino National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services Director Caroline Chavez announced that the Eastlake Landfill and the Lakeport Public Services office will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for the Labor Day holiday.  

Residential and commercial collection will occur one day after the normal pickup day.

Normal collection schedules will resume the week following the holiday.

Both facilities will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1760.