LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) this weekend urges customers to prepare for rising temperatures and fire danger, with 100-to-105-degree temperatures in interior valley locations and dry northerly winds in foothill regions.

Heat related outage activity is possible over the weekend, but a major heat wave is not expected.

Power demand during hot summer weather can overload electrical equipment causing power outages, which occur when circuit breakers or other protective equipment shut off the flow of power in order to prevent further damage to the electrical system.

Here are some useful ways to stay cool and safe:

• Stay in the shade: Direct sunlight can speed up the effect the heat has on your body. Do outdoor activities in the morning or evening hours, avoid being in the afternoon heat.
• Stay hydrated: Keep drinking plenty of water, even if you're not thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Take showers: A cool shower or bath is a great way to stay cool and much more effective than using an electric fan.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing: If you are outside, don't forget to wear a hat or carry an umbrella to protect your head and neck.
• Wear sunscreen: Protect your skin and reduce the risk of sunburn. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself.

Here are some useful ways to stay cool and still save energy and save on your bill:

• Keep your thermostat at 78°F when you are home and at 85°F when you leave your home. If you are elderly, frail, or sensitive to extreme heat, lower your thermostat to a cool and comfortable level to avoid a heat-related illness.
• Keep many bottles of water in the refrigerator
• Switch off unnecessary lights
• Avoid using appliances during the peak heat of the day
• Use your microwave to heat food instead of your oven
• If you have a pool, reset your pool pump to run during off-peak hours of the day
• Use energy-efficient products. PG&E provides cash rebates for selected equipment. See rebates or call our Smarter Energy Line at 1(800) 933-9555.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Summer Art House Academy is offering a free set of classes for children this summer.

There are classes on painting, pottery, jewelry and crafts. Seating is extremely limited and granted on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

All classes are free for students of Clearlake ages kindergarten through seniors in high school, and will be held at The Art House Gallery, 15210 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.

The classes are made possible by the academy's sponsors, Lake County Arts Council and Phil Smoley of Country Air Property Services.

A list of classes is below.

June

Monday, June 25 – Painting; Shannon Taylor; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

July

Wednesday, July 11 – Pottery creation; Walter Deis; 10 a.m. to noon
Wednesday, July 18 – Pottery creation; Walter Deis; 10 a.m. to noon

August

Saturday, Aug. 4 – Jewelry, bracelets; Kim Costa; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 31 – Crafts; Angela Curry; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information community members can contact academy coordinator Jenna Radtke at 707-533-7472.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Construction of a roundabout at the Route 20/Nice Lucerne Cutoff Road intersection will continue. Temporary all-way stop signs will be installed Friday, June 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect on Friday, June 15, through 3 p.m., and motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. A shoulder closure will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– AT&T of Fort Bragg has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work near First Street beginning Monday, June 18. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from 0.3 miles west of New Long Valley Road to just east of Gravel Plant Road. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Middletown Central Park Association has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for the annual Middletown Days Parade on Saturday, June 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A full road closure will be in effect. A detour will be provided, and motorists may experience minor delays.

Highway 53

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from Wilson Street to Kugelman Street will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

Highway 175

– Middletown Central Park Association has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for the annual Middletown Days Parade on Saturday, June 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A full road closure will be in effect. A detour will be provided, and motorists may experience minor delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor ? Golden Gate Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– North Coast Rodders of Fort Bragg has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for the Fort Bragg Car Show near Laurel Street on Saturday, June 16. Event hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Turns onto Laurel Street will be restricted, and a shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 20

– A pavement repair project from 0.7 mile west of Road 300 to Irmulco Road will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– NRC Environmental Services, Incorporated, of Chico has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for spill cleanup 0.3 mile north of the railroad crossing beginning Monday, June 18. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A shoulder widening project near Ryan Creek Road will begin Monday, June 18. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Legg Inc. of Livermore.

Highway 128

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Elkhorn Creek to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 162

– Slipout repairs 1.6 miles east of the Rodeo Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services of Willits.

Highway 175

– A pavement repair project from the junction of Routes 101/175 to the Lake/Mendocino County line will continue. Work hours are 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 4 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 253

– Slipout repairs about 5.6 miles west of Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services of Willits.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – “What is Hospice and Palliative Care?” is the topic of the next Middletown Luncheon Club program on Wednesday, June 20.   

Lori Peters, development coordinator for Hospice Services of Lake County will share with us "What it means for Lake County to have this 30 year non profit organization in our county" and "What Hospice plans on doing next."

The program takes place at the Middletown Methodist Church Social Hall, 15155 Armstrong at Washington, Middletown, starting at noon.

Lunch costs only $5 per person and will be served by the Oro Fino Rebekah Lodge this month.

For more information about the Middletown Luncheon Club, or to be a speaker, contact Linda Darms at 707-987-3494.    

The Middletown Luncheon Club (MLC) meets every third Wednesday of the month from January through November, providing informative speakers and presentations to the community. Different local nonprofit organizations provide lunch each month and receive a donation.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport Public Works Division began conducting random road construction on Armstrong Street between Polk Street and Smith Street.  

The work will continue through July 14, according to a report from Public Works Foreman Jim Kennedy.

The road construction is scheduled to take place Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Throughout this time period there will be random road closures and no parking for various blocks.

For more information contact the Lakeport Public Works Division at 707-263-0751.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – It's become a tradition: Boy Scouts Troop 42 carries the Corvettes of Lake County banner for Lakeport's Memorial Day Parade.

As part of this year's Memorial Day celebration, the ninth annual Corvettes of Lake County “Run to the Lake” took place.
 
There were 60 Corvettes in addition to some very unusual pace cars, with Troop 42 leading the way for these car enthusiasts that came from as far away as Oregon.
 
The Corvettes of Lake County presented Boy Scout Troop 42 with a check for $300 at the club's meeting on Tuesday at Guido's Pizza in Kelseyville.
 
Visit the Corvettes of Lake County online at www.corvettesoflakecounty.org/ .