The county’s air has improved and remained in the good classification this week. The air quality is expected to be in the good range for the weekend, with slight possibility of smoke intrusions, Reynolds reported.

No exceed of a health-based State or Federal Air Quality Standard is expected through Sunday, he said. Using the Federal Air Quality Index (AQI) for particulate matter, Lake County’s air quality is expected to be in the good to moderate range. The AQI for particulate is expected to remain well below 101 where an unhealthy alert is given.

Recent smoke intrusions into the Lake County Air Basin during last week resulted primarily from the Yolla Bolly complex and remainder of the Lime complex, Reynolds reported. Some uncontained wildfires continue to burn in Northern California resulting in occasional smoke, haze and degraded air quality.

Though progress has been made on wildfires remaining on federal land, much of the Lime and Yolla Bolly complexes are in rugged and remote areas and are unlikely to be extinguished soon. The Soda Butte Complex wildfires are contained. Yolla Bolly is only 40 percent contained. No uncontained fires remain in Lake County.

Reynolds said winds are expected to be southwest to northwest and should continue through Sunday. This should keep most smoke from these ongoing wildfires to the north and east of the Lake County Air Basin. There is a slight chance of northerly winds developing over the weekend.

Residual smoke can be expected to remain throughout all areas of Northern California, including Lake County, though at a reduced level, until all the numerous lightning caused wildfires are out.

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The Cub Scouts and friend prepare to take a turn on their bikes at the annual bike rodeo on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – July 19 was bicycle rodeo time for Cub Scouts in Pack 142 of Lakeport.

Cubmaster Diane Allen said the boys had fun and enjoyed learning the rules of safe bicycling.

The event was made possible by several individuals and organizations, which the group thanked for their efforts.

The pack thanked Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka for use of their property, and Lakeport Police Officer Destry Henderson and volunteer Patricia McFarland for teaching bicycle safety and rules along with registering and licensing the bicycles.

In addition, they offered thanks to Lakeport Fire Protection District, which made sure the boys had refreshing, ice cold water to keep hydrated while biking. Cub Scout Pack 142 parent volunteers Paul McGuire, Bob Allen and Peggy Alexander also received recognition for their participation.

Allen said Pack 142 also was scheduled to visit the USS Pampanito, a World War II-era submarine in San Francisco, this past weekend.

Cubmaster Diane Allen and her Cub Scouts, along with Lakeport Police volunteer Patricia McFarland, at the Cub Scout Pack 142 Bike Rodeo on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Courtesy photo.

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The doors open at 9 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m. Come early to browse the quilt library, sign up for special events and socialize.

“Quilt Diva” Karen Boutte will present a program entitled “Inspiration and Creativity.” Visit her Web site, www.quiltdiva.com, for samples of her work.

A reminder to quilters – Aug. 2 is the deadline to submit entry forms for the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild’s annual quilt show, held the first full weekend in October.

Entry forms are available on the guild’s Web site, www.LLQG.org, or call 262-1201.

Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild welcomes all quilters and prospective quilters to its meetings and events. Through a variety of programs and projects, the quilt guild members learn new skills and techniques, benefit the Lake County community, and enjoy themselves immensely.

For more information, contact Dottie at 462-7036 or Donna 262-1201, or visit the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild Web site at www.LLQG.org.

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Wade Koeninger, longest-serving member of the Mendocino College Board of Trustees, and his wife Mary Lou enjoy the festive setting at Fetzer Vineyards Valley Oaks in Hopland, site of the Mendocino College Foundation's Gala on the Green held June 21, 2008. Photo by Zohar Zaied.

HOPLAND – The Mendocino College Foundation's annual “Gala on the Green,” held this year on June 21, once again raised thousands of dollars to benefit both students and program.

This year's gala raised an estimated $30,000, the foundation reported.

Three prominent Lakeport residents – Peggy Campbell, Wilda Shock and David Geck – serve on the Mendocino College Foundation, and all three worked diligently to make this fundraising event happen.

Proceeds from the gala and other fundraising activities during the past 24 years have allowed the foundation to provide more than $675,000 in student scholarships and more than $500,000 in support for educational programs and districtwide projects.

Call the foundation office at 467-1018 for more information about becoming a Friend of Mendocino College.

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Ashley Johnson (left) was crowned Miss Lake County Rodeo Princess 2008 and Stormie Shores (right) was crowned Miss Lake County Rodeo Queen 2008. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – Stormie Shores was crowned the 2008 Miss Lake County Rodeo Queen on Friday night, July 11, at the Lake County Rodeo.

Stormie is a freshmen at Kelseyville High School, is the vice president in the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen and raises market lambs in 4-H for the Lake County Fair. In her spare time, she enjoys trail riding, barrel racing and raises Tennessee Faining Goats.

Stormie was accompanied by the 2008 Miss Lake County Rodeo Princess, Ashley Johnson who is a sophomore at Kelseyville High School and is also a member of the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen, rides on the Junior Drill Team and also raises market lambs for fair.

Shea Odom was crowned Miss Congeniality and is a resident of Lakeport. Shea enjoys trail riding and raises turkeys and market goats for the Lake County Fair.

Two weeks before the rodeo, these three girls competed in a competition, which included a written test, speech, modeling, interview and completed a riding pattern. The competition was judged by Elise Thomas from Mendocino, Maureene Moore from Willits and Suzie Wiloth from Lower Lake.

Miss Lake County Rodeo Queen Stormie Shores was awarded an engraved saddle, breast collar, saddle blanket, an embroidered jacket, an engraved tiara and belt buckle, flowers, leather sash, teeth whitening gift certificate from Dr. Keith Long, DDS, a lifetime Lake County Rodeo access pass, and also received a stamped halter for winning the horsemanship portion of the competition in addition to her other high scores.

Miss Lake County Rodeo Princess Ashley Johnson was awarded an engraved breast collar, saddle blanket, an embroidered jacket, a tiara, sash, and was also awarded a $50 gift certificate to CJS ranch supply for selling the most raffle tickets during the competition.

To make the competition a fun and equal-opportunity event, the girls running for rodeo queen and princess are given the option of attending "rodeo queen clinic classes" which include meetings on makeup, hairstyles and clothing, as well as classes to practice their speeches and riding patterns together.

The 2009 Lake County Rodeo Queen and Princess competition opens April 1. The Lake County Rodeo Association is looking for "horsey" girls between the ages of 12 and 14 and 14 and 21 within Lake and the surrounding counties who are interested in promoting the Lake County Rodeo as its queen or princess.

If you are interested in running, please contact Melissa Fulton at 263-1845 or Sierra Shores at 245-7005.

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The training will be held August 5, 6 and 7 (Tuesday through Thursday) from 9 a.m. to noon at St. John's Lutheran Church on Memory Lane in Clearlake.

Friendly Visitors provide friendship and encouragement to homebound seniors in the South County area. The training is free.

Please contact Program Director Esther Oertel at 995-1417 for more information or to sign up for the volunteer training.

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