LAKEPORT – The annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser will take place this Friday, June 26, in Lakeport.

Lakeport Police Chief Kevin Burke and Renee's Cafe, 1005 N. Main, will host the event from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local law enforcement officers – from the Lakeport Police, California Highway Patrol, the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Probation the District Attorney's Office – will serve patrons breakfast and lunch.

All tips will benefit Lake County Special Olympics, which is sending six athletes to the Special Olympics Summer Games this weekend in Davis.

“By taking a few minutes once a month to check tire pressure, California drivers can significantly increase the safety and fuel economy of their vehicle,” said Margo Reid Brown, CIWMB Board chair. “This quick and simple maintenance will also extend the life of your tires, helping you save money while reducing the number of scrap tires that must be recycled and kept out of landfills.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, keeping tires at the proper inflation level can save drivers $100 to $200 in gas each year; consumer savings also come from less frequent replacement of tires. And this will allow drivers to reduce the generation of scrap tires, currently 44 million a year statewide.

Tires that are properly inflated and maintained also contribute to the overall safety of a vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

“Tens of millions of U.S. motorists are currently driving on under inflated tires,” said Daniel Zielinski of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). “It is our hope that by educating drivers about proper tire maintenance, we can help protect them and their passengers.”

RMA recently surveyed more than 5,300 passenger vehicles nationwide and found that almost half had at least one under inflated tire. One in five vehicles had at least one significantly under inflated tire that can compromise safety and waste gas.

In addition to the tire pressure survey, RMA commissioned a poll of registered drivers to gauge their knowledge of proper tire maintenance. While most drivers believe that checking tire pressure is one of the top actions they can take to save fuel, 82 percent do not know how to properly check tires.

To properly check tire pressure, motorists should check once each month; check tires when cold – before the vehicle is driven; and use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure found on a label located on the driver’s door or door post, or check the owner’s manual.

The Lake County Rodeo is continuing to welcome children who want to compete for cutest cowpoke honors this year. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – The 80th Annual Lake County Rodeo is coming on July 10 and 11 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, and it still has openings for competitors in the cutest cowpoke and mutton bustin' competitions.

This old, time, traditional, all-professional rodeo will feature many exciting activities for all ages.

A very popular event is the Cutest Cowpoke Contest, open to boys and girls, ages 4 to 8. The competition will be held on Saturday, June 27.

Winners will be introduced on Friday, July 10, at the Lake County Rodeo.

Each winner will receive passes to the Friday night performance and be awarded a silver buckle that evening in the arena.

Deadline for entries is Friday, June 26.

For more information or an application, visit www.lakecountyrodeo.com or contact Melissa Fulton at 707-245-7431. Applications are available at the office of the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce, 875 Lakeport Blvd., at Vista Point Visitor Center.

There also are still a limited number of openings for the mutton bustin' competition on Friday and Saturday nights. This event is sponsored by CJS Ranch Supply in Middletown.

Applications for this are also available online and at the chamber office.

Competition is open to boys and girls 8 years old or younger and there is a $10 entry fee.

All riders must be no more than 50 pounds (each child will be weighed as they check in at the rodeo), they must wear a properly fitted helmet, long pants, long-sleeved shirt and sturdy boots or shoes.

This competition fills up quickly, please contact Mutton Bustin' Chair Amanda Kane at 707-245-5320 for further information.

Winners will be awarded a special belt buckle and all riders receive a mutton bustin' t-shirt.

Mutton busters are being sought for this year's rodeo. Courtesy photo.

The community food assessment will act as the data source to be used in the creation of a local food guide, act as a resource for organizations throughout the county, and identify gaps in Lake County’s local food system.

The major goals of the RFP include:

• Mapping existing food resources within the county;

• Compiling data on farm, farm stand, and market gardens including their location, crops in production, where crops are sold, and crop volume;

• Compiling data on retail food outlets including restaurants, grocery stores, schools, hospitals, senior centers, etc.;

• In the event of supply disruption, how long the food supply on shelves would last;

• Identifying all locations that produce, sell, serve, and process food, and;

• Prepare a final report with recommendations and make presentation to the Lake County Board of Supervisors.

The Health Leadership Network (HLN) was established to develop a network of public and private entities to improve the health of people in Lake County through healthy eating and active living and is funded primarily through a grant from the California Endowment.

Partners in the HLN include Sutter Lakeside Hospital (which also is the fiscal recipient for the HLN), St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, Lakeside Health Center (Mendocino Community Health Clinics), Lake County Department of Health Services, Lake County Department of Social Services, Lake County

Marketing and Economic Development Program, Lake County Office of Education (Healthy Start), Lake County Tribal Health Consortium Inc., Lake Family Resource Center, First Five Lake County and Easter Seals of Northern California.

In addition to providing funding for the completion of a community food assessment, the HLN began a farm-to-school/institution project, is developing a logo to denote participation in the local food movement, has introduced CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health), a research-based best practice program designed to prevent obesity among school children in after-school and elementary schools in Lake County, as well as working with a stakeholder group to find a way to utilize local

health data for the benefit of all health care providers.

The RFP was released on the county of Lake website on June 17 and requires all potential proposers to register online. The RFP closes on July 15.

To register, and for more information, visit www.co.lake.ca.us/Business/WithCounty/RFP.htm .