SACRAMENTO – A two-day conference in Sacramento will feature cutting-edge climate research of keen interest to California policymakers and the public, including presentations on climate change and the current drought, the potential impact of prolonged drought on California agriculture, sea level rise and storm surge in San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and measurement of carbon emissions from major cities.

The world’s leading body for climate change assessment, the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), co-hosts the event.

Other hosts include the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

“Driven by humanity’s long-term and large-scale fossil-fuel consumption, climate change is changing our forests, mountain snowpack, coast, ocean, streams, and biodiversity,” said Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird. “The ramifications for the way we live in California cannot be overstated. Good science will help us adapt to a rapidly changing world and help us curb carbon emissions in California.”

The “California Climate Change Symposium 2015: Using Climate Science to Plan for a Resilient Future” begins Monday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J St. in downtown Sacramento.

The aim of the event is to bring together the scientists working to understand climate change and the policymakers positioned to help Californians mitigate and cope with changes wrought by higher average temperatures.

The symposium will include sessions related to options for adapting to water shortages and extreme weather events in California.  IPCC staff will offer a climate change briefing for media.

The symposium agenda – subject to change – is available at www.CaliforniaScience.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. –The next free household hazardous waste dropoff event will be held Friday, Aug. 21, and Saturday, Aug. 22, at Lake County Waste Solutions Transfer Station and Recycling Yard, 230, Soda Bay Road, Lakeport.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge. Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks (empty), pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet) and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980.

Household hazardous waste dropoff services are provided to Lake County residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this county-funded service and first make an appointment. Business appointments can be made by calling Lake County Waste Solutions at 707-234-6400.

Beginning in June, ask about receiving a free puncture-proof sharps container at one of these events to use for free sharps disposal.

Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

· Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions and South Lake Refuse and Recycling Center first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.

· Used motor oil and cooking oil can be dropped off by businesses and residents, at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the North Shore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for more locations.

· Electronics (e-waste) can be dropped-off at Lake County Waste Solutions and at South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
Open daily, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com

The free Household Hazardous Waste drop off program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County households.

For more information about recycling, reusing and reducing, visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us , call the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980 or like Lake County Public Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LCPublicServices?fref=ts .

UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College and Mendocino County Resource Conservation District will host a workshop on rainwater catchment on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The free workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the agriculture building's room 6340 on the Mendocino College Ukiah Campus, 1000 Hensley Creek Road.

Learn how to access thousands of gallons of rainwater for garden and household.

Rainwater harvest may have already caught your interest during this historic drought. Sign up and learn how, where, and why rainwater catchment systems are a valuable part of water security at properties around the world.

This hands-on class will provide you the skills to install a basic rainwater catchment system, and the knowledge to comply with building codes.

This is a perfect primer course for beginner builders. More advanced systems will be covered, along with safety and permit compliance in the upcoming fall semester Introduction to Plumbing course through Mendocino College.

As part of the Mendocino Jumpstart Integrated Water Plan at Mendocino College, this class offers the community a way to learn a specialized skill, and introduces sustainable tech students to the growing field of water conservation.

Funding for this water plan is provided by the California Department of Water Resources, which covers the cost for professional instruction, thus allowing attendance at this 1-day workshop to be free to the community.

Anna Birkas, licensed engineering contractor and owner of Village Ecosystems, co-developed the curriculum and will lead the rainwater catchment class.

As a designer and builder of several water conservation systems, her experience will provide insight into basic water harvesting as well as more technologically complex systems.

The Sustainable Technology Program (SST) at Mendocino College provides hands on training to students interested in construction, building efficiency, plumbing and electrical installation, with a special view towards the sustainable link to the community, economy, and environment.

Jennifer Riddell, the SST Director, will co-teach the class, and the rainwater catchment tank will be installed at the Sustainable Technology demonstration house.

If you are a water enthusiast, builder, landscaper, facilities manager or homeowner, follow the water plan at www.mcrcd.org/drought-water-conservation-resources for updates and to learn about future classes in xeriscaping, wetland construction, plumbing (legal graywater systems), stormwater infiltration and irrigation efficiency.

Join them to install a tank at SST and learn to harvest, design for, and use rainwater. Be prepared for the first fall rains. A single storm can fill your tank.

To RSVP call 707-462-3664, Extension 104, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio will host a wine tasting event and artist show reception featuring Shannon Ridge wine brands Playtime and Dalliance, and artist’s reception with works by Annette Higday.

The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.
 
The $12.50 ($10/per person for studio club members) wine sampler with appetizers by Fresh & Bangin' Eatery of Lucerne will showcase 2013 Playtime Chardonnay with a white bean salad with citrus and fennel, 2014 Dalliance Unbaked Chardonnay with house smoked salmon with dill, lemon and caper aioli on pumpernickel crostini, 2012 Playtime Red Blend with sautéed haricots verts with roasted garlic marmalade topped with bacon lardons and 2012 Dalliance Red Blend with grilled skirt steak with roasted red pepper and chimichurri sauce on a wonton wafer.
 
Higday has been creative since her childhood. Reared and educated in Vallejo, she attended Solano Community College and CSU Sacramento, studying Child Development and Early Childhood Education.

She spent 23 years teaching elementary school in Modesto and Vallejo where she reared her son Tony.

She enjoyed doing art projects with her students and incorporated art into all the subjects she taught.

In 1980, her husband Robert encouraged Higday to take a watercolor class at Modesto JC from renowned artist Dan Peterson, which added watercolor to her repertoire.

Higday began "impasto" acrylic style painting after coming to Kelseyville in 1994. Her art show called "Painted Pets" was shown at Perlz Beads and Yarns. She painted dogs and cats of family members and friends which led to many commissions.

Learning jewelry making from Joe and Anat Silvera, Higday makes necklaces, bracelets and earrings using techniques such as torch-fired enamel, Femo bead making and wire wrapping.

Her husband is a potter, so Higday makes clay beads and uses different glazes to fire them. A recent technique she has added is "reversed" painting on glass and acrylic. She began with old windows that were tossed out, then progressed to glass and acrylic.

Higday shows annually at the Kelseyville Pear Festival with Konocti Art Society friends. Her watercolors "Pears Over Kelseyville" and "Pear Gallery" were used as posters for past festivals. Since 2010, she has been painting quilt blocks with her buddies of the Lake County Quilt Trail team, which can be followed on Facebook.

"It's All About the Grape," a 4-foot by 4-foot reversed painting, shows at the Lake County Wine Grape Commission office in downtown Kelseyville.

She has designed and painted chalkboards and signs at Studebakers Coffee House and The Scoop, both in Kelseyville, and she has shown her artwork at the Main Street Gallery and Art in Public Places in Lakeport. She hopes to continue to create art in any shape or form forever.

Higday and her husband have enjoyed visiting art galleries in their travels to Italy, France, Spain, England, Scotland, Mexico and the U.S.  She hopes to continue to create art in any shape or form forever.
 
Playtime and Dalliance brands are part of the sustainably farmed Shannon Ridge Family of Wines.

Sourcing and blending the grapes from their premium vineyards on the hills and slopes of Lake County, the wines offer two styles of Chardonnay: Playtime is oaked while Dalliance is unoaked, and two styles of red blends.

Playtime is an enticing blend of Zinfandel with small amounts of Grenache, Petite Verdot and Barbera and Dalliance is a brooding blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.

While the Dalliance label celebrates amorous play on the journey of life, the Playtime label is a tribute to the pin-up stars that were prevalent during World War II and the inspiration they were to enjoy life fully and return home safely to loved ones.
 
Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County.

Artists' shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
 
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.

It is open Monday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.

The Higday art show will be on display for the full month of August.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

Save Our Water, California’s official statewide conservation education program, has partnered with California ReLeaf to raise awareness of the importance of proper tree care during this historic drought.

California ReLeaf is a statewide urban forest nonprofit providing support and services to over 90 community nonprofits that plant and care for trees.

With potentially millions of urban trees at risk, Save Our Water, California ReLeaf and a coalition of urban forest and other concerned organizations across California are focusing on a simple yet urgent message: Save Our Water and Our Trees!

The Save Our Water and Our Trees partnership is highlighting tips for both residents and agencies on how to water and care for trees so that they not only survive the drought, but thrive to provide shade, beauty and habitat, clean the air and water, and make our cities and towns healthier and more livable for decades to come.

“While Californians cut back on water use during the drought, it is critical to community health to save our lawn trees by setting up alternative watering systems once you turn off the regular sprinklers,” said Cindy Blain, Executive Director of California ReLeaf.

Lawn trees can and must be saved during the drought. What you can do:

– Deeply and slowly water mature trees one to two times per month with a simple soaker hose or drip system toward the edge of the tree canopy – not at the base of the tree. Use a hose faucet timer (found at hardware stores) to prevent overwatering.

– Young trees need 5 gallons of water two to four times per week. Create a small watering basin with a berm of dirt.

– Shower with a bucket and use that water for your trees long as it is free of nonbiodegradable soaps or shampoos.

– Do not over-prune trees during drought. Too much pruning and drought both stress your trees.

– Mulch, mulch, mulch! Four to 6 inches of mulch helps retain moisture, reducing water needs and protecting your trees. 

Trees in irrigated landscapes become dependent on regular watering and when watering is reduced – and especially when it’s stopped completely – trees will die.

Tree loss is a very costly problem: not only in expensive tree removal, but in the loss of all the benefits trees provide: cooling and cleaning the air and water, shading homes, walkways and recreation areas as well as human health impacts.

“This summer it is vital that Californians limit outdoor water use while preserving trees and other important landscaping,” said Jennifer Persike, deputy executive director of external affairs and operations, Association of California Water Agencies. “Save Our Water is urging Californians to Let It Go – GOLD this summer, but don’t forget to keep your trees healthy.”

Save Our Water has been urging Californians to “Let It Go” this summer by limiting outdoor water use and letting lawns fade to gold, while preserving precious water resources for trees and other important landscapes.

The program’s public education campaign also encourages Californians to “Turn It Off” and cut back on water use wherever possible inside and out. Just this week Save Our Water released a new public service announcement featuring San Francisco Giants star Sergio Romo.

The PSA, filmed at the Giants’ garden in AT&T Park, urges Californians to step up and make even more cuts in their water use.

Save Our Water’s Web site, http://saveourwater.com/ , is available in both English and Spanish and is filled with tips, tools, and inspiration to help every Californian find new and creative ways to conserve.

From tips on how to keep trees healthy during the drought to an interactive section allowing users to visually explore how they can save water both inside and outside the home, Save Our Water has a wealth of resources available for Californians.

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. has directed the first-ever statewide mandatory water reductions in California, calling on all Californians to reduce their water use by 25 percent and prevent water waste.

Save Our Water is a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies and the California Department of Water Resources.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Public Works Department will close a portion of Second Street on Tuesday, July 28, to conduct road work.

The closure will take place from 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. between N. Russell and N. Estep streets.

An alternate route will be Armstrong to N. Estep Street.

The department asks community members to drive safely, be aware of workers and avoid the area if possible.