LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Clear Lake Cardinals wrestling team sent five wrestlers to the Coast Classic Holiday Bash in Fort Bragg on Saturday, where two of them received medals.

Julian Lewis pinned his way to the gold medal at 220 pounds, while Jacob Pyorre took silver at 113 pounds.

Issac Lewis placed sixth in the 152-pound class. Tyler Buchholtz, while leading in his second match, injured his ankle and was unable to continue.  

Three girl Cardinal wrestlers went to Castro Valley, where Emily Psalmonds placed sixth in the 111-pound weight class.

After losing to the No. 2 seed, Psalmonds pinned her next four opponents, but due to her match count limit she could not wrestle for the fifth place spot, so she ended the day at sixth.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Most homeowners are aware holiday decorations should be used with care.

Each year, statistics tell the story of the fire danger resulting from frayed wires, proximity to heat sources, and lights left on unattended.

But the restoration specialists from SERVPRO in the Lakeport area want local homeowners to
know that the danger of fire caused by holiday decorating, and by Christmas trees specifically, actually increases after the holiday.

Citing research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), these fire and water damage experts say while four out of five Christmas tree fires happen in December and January, the 10 days with the highest average number of fires were all after Christmas Day.

“For many families, preparing for the holiday season is a very busy time,” said Sue Steen, Servpro Industries Inc. chief executive officer. “Come Dec. 26, it’s tempting to relax and stop watering the Christmas tree, replacing bulbs in outdoor lights and tucking indoor garlands back into place. Dry greens, open sockets and decorations that slip dangerously close to light sockets or fireplaces can all increase the risk of fire in the days after the Christmas holiday.”

The American Christmas Tree Association quotes Nielsen research that says Americans purchased 21.6 million live Christmas trees in 2011. That number is significant because, according to the NFPA, Christmas trees remain the number one culprit in holiday fires.

Forty-three percent of Christmas tree fires happen in December, but January is close behind,
claiming 39 percent – numbers that demonstrate the danger of allowing Christmas trees to dry out during and after the holiday season.

Tragically, Christmas tree fires are particularly deadly, claiming on average one life in every 40 fires compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires.

Steen encourages Lakeport-area homeowners who choose to decorate with live Christmas trees to be diligent about watering their trees both before and after the holidays.

“When a Christmas tree dries out, it takes only a single spark from the fireplace, a draft that blows a candle flame too near, or a carelessly held cigarette to turn your holiday celebration into a tragedy,” said Steen. “Beyond the damage from the fire itself, a Christmas tree fire, like any fire, can result in extensive smoke and water damage throughout your home, and can even be deadly.”

As the holiday season moves into full swing, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals in the Lakeport area remind homeowners to take common sense precautions based on a clear understanding of the potential danger to help prevent holiday traditions from turning into a holiday nightmare.

For more fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit www.servpro.com .

LUCERNE, Calif. – Local mindfulness teacher and author JoAnn Saccato will present a two-hour workshop based on her eight-week Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Personal Clarity and Emotional Freedom courses at the Marymount California University, Lakeside Campus, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.

The campus is located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne.

The event is free and open to the public.
 
The workshop focuses on engaging the participants with a new or renewed self-dialogue of discovery through journaling; guided mindfulness exercises that deepen awareness of present moment experience; and learning how to set meaningful intentions that are aligned with personal values.

Saccato will also provide the latest information on the stress reducing benefits of a mindfulness practice.
 
Mindfulness is a body-based practice that invites one to pay kind, nonjudgmental attention to direct experience through the senses.

Studies indicate that mindfulness can help reduce stress and stress-related illnesses, increase focus and attention, decrease incidences of and relapses with depression, help reduce anxiety, and aid in sleep and digestive disorders.
 
The event will be held at Marymount California University, Lakeside Campus, an accredited university that offers bachelors of arts in business, liberal arts and psychology; masters of science in community psychology, leadership and global development; and masters of business administration.
 
Michelle Scully, Lakeside Campus' Executive director, was excited to host Saccato as part of her recent efforts to offer more community-based education events to local residents.

“Universities have the unique opportunity to bring great benefit to the communities they serve,” Scully said, “and this is just one event in what I hope to be many that can be of service to Lake County residents.”
 
For more information on Marymount California University, Lakeside Campus, visit http://www.marymountcalifornia.edu/lakeside or call 1-888-991-LAKE.

For more information on Saccato's Compassion-based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, visit www.companioningthesacredjourney.com or call 707-350-1719.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 6, Cache Creek Vineyards hosted its first Holiday Charity Faire in conjunction with the Holiday Open House Weekend for Lake County wineries.

Three local charities decorated Christmas trees that will be displayed in the tasting room for the month of December. 

The trees were generously donated by Bruno’s Shop Smart in Lakeport. 

Visitors were invited to vote on their favorite tree and a donation from Cache Creek Vineyards was awarded to first, second and third place.

Operation Tango Mike took first place and was awarded $700, Lake Family Resource Center took second place and earned $500, and People Services took third place and won $300. 

Cache Creek Vineyards will accept donations on behalf of the charities during the month of December. 

Operation Tango Mike is in need of personal hygiene products (especially toothpaste and deodorant) socks, puzzle books, and nonperishable snacks.

Lake Family Resource Center is in need of household startup items (towels, bedding, kitchen items, etc.).

People Services is in need of kitchen towels, silverware, drinking glasses, pots and pans, and crock pots.

All three organizations also will graciously accept monetary donations.

Cache Creek Vineyards will provide an extra 10 percent off your wine purchase during the month of December if you bring donation items for any of the three charities. 

A silent auction was also held on Dec. 6 and the proceeds of $954 were split evenly among the three charities. Thank you to the many local businesses and individuals that donated items to the auction. 

Cache Creek Vineyards would also like to thank the following local vendors that took part in the Holiday Charity Faire: The Soap Shack Baby, Dayle Marshall, Meadowmont Farm, Jerri Nylander and Bloom Ranch Natural Nuts and Snacks.  The day was filled with great food, holiday cheer, and generous patrons.

Situated on 590 acres, the winery is home to a roaming herd of tule elk that inspired Bill Van Pelt in his dream of creating a beautiful vineyard.

The Van Pelt Family invites you to enjoy the holidays, stop in, taste wines, and participate in this festive time of year.

For more information visit www.cachecreekvineyards.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Christmas meeting of the Konocti Lioness Club, club President Anna Jones presented to Cheri Johnson, founder and director of the Totes for Teens project, a donation of $500.

Also, each club members brought to the meeting gaily wrapped Christmas gifts to be delivered to the Lake Family Resource Center in Kelseyville.

The gifts were delivered to the Center by Lion Harry De Lope and Lioness Bunny De Lope.

The Konocti Lioness Club works throughout the year on many projects to raise funds which are distributed back to the community to assist youngsters and families in need.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – In the giving spirit of the season, Sutter Lakeside Hospital employees purchased holiday gifts for 100 children through the Lake Family Resource Center Children’s Gift Fund.

The employees also contributed $700 cash to the program.

The money was raised at the recent Sutter Lakeside Annual Holiday Party through a raffle organized by Sutter Lakeside employees Jackie Rad, R.N.C., M.S.N., C.N.L., Family Birth Center and Respiratory Services manager; and Allison Panella, administrative executive assistant.

A few weeks ago Rad also sent a memo out to employees about the 100 child gift sponsorships and they were snatched up immediately.

“Our staff support was amazing,” Rad said. “Within 48 hours of sending the memo I had sponsors for all 100 children. Everyone jumped at the opportunity to be generous and give back to our community.”

It seems the spirit of giving is contagious. As Rad bought a basket-full of gifts for the children at a local store, a woman in the checkout line asked if she was supporting a local charity. When Rad said yes, the woman handed her a $100 bill to help.

“It was so uplifting to see someone reach out like that to help others,” Rad says. “This is what the holiday season is all about.”

Sutter Lakeside has participated in the Children’s Gift Fund program for the past five years and plans to contribute again next year.

“For many years Sutter Lakeside employees have made Christmas special for hundreds of Lake County children who would otherwise do without,” says Jami White, Lake Family Resource Center ERSEA/education coordinator. “Their compassion and empathy truly demonstrate the spirit of the season, and our families are so grateful.”

Lake Family Resource Center, the nonprofit organization that manages the gift drive, has served Lake County families since 1995.

The gift drive is just one of this organization’s many services funded by government grants and community donations to approximately 1,400 families and 4,500 individuals each year.