NORTH COAST, Calif. – Cal Fire's Mendocino Unit is preparing for the fall season at Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) by announcing changes in the mushroom permit program as well as scheduling seasonal campground, road and firewood area closures.

Mushroom permits

All individuals collecting mushrooms on JDSF must have a permit. Permits are issued for a 12-month period (July 1– June 30) annually from the JDSF Fort Bragg office. A new permit process has been established to enhance resource protection measures.

There is a single annual fee of $20 for an individual permit. The permit entitles the permittee to gather mushrooms on JDSF for either commercial or personal use with no daily collection limit. Special use permits for educational institutions may be arranged by contacting staff.

Campground closure

The seasonal closure of JDSF campgrounds is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 29. Wet weather could require the closure of the campgrounds sooner.

If you have any questions about the status of the campgrounds, please contact our forest office.

Firewood area closure

The designated area for firewood cutting will also close on Sept. 29, or first significant rain, whichever occurs first. After the closure, all firewood cutting on the forest is prohibited.

Seasonal road closures

Effective on Wednesday, Oct. 15, except as noted below, all state forest roads within Jackson Demonstration State Forest will be closed to unauthorized public vehicular traffic in accordance with Sections 1431 and 1438, Title 14, California Code of Regulations.

The road closure prohibits the use of all unauthorized motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and ATVs.

Roads may still be used for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

It is always unlawful to operate unlicensed vehicles (including off-road vehicles with or without green stickers) on state forest roads. Off-road travel with motorized vehicles is not permitted on the state forest.

This is a seasonal closure that protects forest roads from damage during wet weather. Please do not

drive on roads that are wet and have soft surfaces, even if they are not formally closed. Road and stream damage can occur from rutting and erosion. It is not safe to drive on roads with slippery surfaces. Please help us protect your forest resources.

Exceptions - roads that will stay open:

The following roads will generally remain open throughout the winter, but may be closed periodically without further notice depending on road and weather conditions:

• Road 100 (closed at the property line at the north end);
• Road 130 (closed at Road 1000 at the north end);
• Road 250 (closed at Road 1000 at the north end);
• Road 350 (only as far as the Egg Collection Station/Camp One Day Use Area);
• Road 700 to Mendocino Woodlands State Park;
• Roads 800 (to the property line);
• Road 900 only to Road 810.

Information regarding camping and other recreational activities such as mushroom gathering on JDSF is available at the Cal Fire Fort Bragg office located at 802 North Main Street, Fort Bragg, or by calling 707-964-5674 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The forest's Web site is http://calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_stateforests_jackson.php .

LUCERNE, Calif. – The next HazMobile event will be held Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20, at Lucerne Harbor County Park, 6225 E. Highway 20.

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, 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.

HazMobile services are provided to 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 taxpayer-funded service and first make an appointment.

Business appointments can be made by calling the Mendocino County Solid Waste Authority, the contracted agency that provides this service in Lake County at 707-468-9786.

Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

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

Used cooking oil can be dropped-off by businesses and residents, which will be recycled into BioDiesel by Yokayo BioFuels. Drop-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the Northshore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne.

Used motor oil can be dropped-off by residents for recycling year round at a number of sites in the county. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for locations.

Electronics (E-waste) can be dropped-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and monthly at the Goodwill E-Waste collection held in Lakeport.

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 Street, Clearlake
Open daily 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com 

The HazMobile program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County residents.

For more information about recycling, reusing, and reducing, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to continue their education or receive training can apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards.

The awards formerly were known as the Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Awards.

This year the Clear Lake Soroptimist Club is offering three cash awards totaling $4,000.

For application information contact Kathy Freeborn at 707-994-3509.

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 .

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 .

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. .