NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A drought landscape workshop will be held at the UC Davis Campus in Davis on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The workshop will take place from 8 to 4 p.m.

It will provide participants with in-depth information for converting high water use lawns into beautiful low water use, attractive, native and climate appropriate landscapes. 

For more information, please contact Rebecca Green at 530-771-7332 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit http://www.cnga.org/event-1728857 .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Republican Women club will hold its monthly meeting in Hidden Valley Lake on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The meeting will start at 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon, at the Greenview Room, 19210 Hartmann Road.

Peter Friedman will speak on the threat of Islam. He has been a student of Islam for more than 40 years and can be heard regularly on the Brian Susman Show on KSFO.

This will be an audio-visual presentation. This is a very timely subject due to the rise of ISIS and our southern boarders not being secure. Are we vulnerable to another 9/11 type attack? Come and find out.

Lunch is $23 per person and includes your choice of vegetarian lasagna or chef Salad. Both entrees include garlic bread, coffee or tea.

You may attend the meeting without lunch for $5.

Make your reservation by calling 707-994-3543 and leave a message or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Effective Monday, Sept. 8, access to Jackson Demonstration State Forest in Mendocino County, north from Simpson Lane and adjacent private parcels continuing north for half a mile, is temporarily closed to all public access. 

This area closure prohibits the use of all public access, including bicyclists, equestrians and hikers.

Off-road motorcycles and ATVs are always prohibited on state forest roads.

This is a temporary area closure for public safety while a road improvement project is conducted on Forest Road 450.

This area is expected to be reopened to public use in two weeks on Friday, Sept. 19.
 
Officials thank members of the public for their understanding and cooperation.

Additional access information can be obtained by contacting the JDSF office or visiting the JDSF Web site at http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County International Charter School (LCICS) is holding its seventh annual Live & Give Celebration and Auction on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Lake Community Center (previously known as the HVL Country Club) at 18766 Lakeridge Circle in Hidden Valley Lake.

The theme for this year’s event is “Global Gala” and the globally-inspired live music and dance performances, delicious international appetizers contributed by Chic Le Chef Catering, complimentary first glass of beer or wine, and both silent and live auctions will guarantee an amazing evening of entertainment and celebration for everyone who attends.

“As a small, public school we rely on the amazing community support to bridge the gap between state funding and the true cost of educating our children,” said LCICS parent and Live & Give event planner Valerie Moberg. “The Live & Give is our biggest annual fundraiser, and we are always amazed and appreciative of the generosity of local businesses and individuals.”

Moberg added, “We’ve had some incredibly fun events in past years, and this year’s global theme is sure to be a hit as well! We hope that guests will join us in the fun by dressing in attire from around the world, but it certainly isn’t required to enjoy the evening.”

Tickets can be purchased for $25 per person at the door on the evening of the event, at the LCICS Office at 15850 Armstrong St. or at Chic Le Chef in Hidden Valley Lake, by calling LCICS at 707-987-3063 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Wine and beer will be available for purchase by the glass during the event, and you must be at least 21 years old to attend.

For more information, or to donate items or gift certificates to the live or silent auctions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call 707-987-3063 or go online to www.lcics.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Library now has two story times for children on Fridays.

As of Sept. 5 the library has added a story time at 3 p.m. on Fridays.

The Friday morning story times will continue at 10:15 a.m.

Barbara Green conducts Lakeport’s story times which include stories, crafts, snacks and lots of fun.

The library is located at 1425 N. High St., telephone 707-263-8817.

Redbud Library at14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake has story times on Thursdays at 11 a.m. The phone number is 707-994-5115.

Middletown Library at 21256 Washington St. has story times on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. The phone number is 707-987-3674.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.co.lake.ca.us and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Did you know that much of California has a semi-arid climate which results in annual periods of little or no rainfall?

Couple this with the droughts since the 1970s and our “population explosion” we will continue to see a shortfall in our fresh water supply.

As individuals we can help solve this problem by using water wisely in whatever we do and avoid the of wastefulness of the past.

One of the many ways to conserve water is that of water management in our ornamental gardens.

Install simple inexpensive conserving irrigation systems, use soil conditioners and mulches to hold water where it is needed and reduce evaporation; choose plants that are well sited for our environmental conditions.

Lake County native plants are especially well-suited having developed protective devices, over the ages, against local pests, diseases and no summer watering. 

These plants will provide landscapes that have striking foliage and unlimited mixes of form and texture. 

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club invites you to join them to learn more about native flora and all phases of gardening. 

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at the Scotts Valley Women's Club House 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport. A light lunch is served. 

The next meeting will be Sept. 16 and will feature a presentation by Judith Diggs of Bio Farms. She will speak on all aspects of growing organic vegetables. 

For information call club President Marva Brandt at 707-279-1625 or visit www.clttgc.org .

Jerry Shaul is native flora chairman for the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club.