UKIAH, Calif. – Mendo Lake Credit Union has been providing quality financial services to residents of Mendocino and Lake county since 1959.

The credit union’s vision is to empower both individual and community prosperity to assist in making Lake and Mendocino counties great places to work.

With that in mind, Mendo Lake Credit Union is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Golden State Wealth Management to expand the financial services available to credit union members.

Golden State Wealth Management is a team of well-established local financial advisors providing comprehensive investment strategies and retirement planning.

Together, Mendo Lake Credit Union and Golden State Wealth Management will be bringing expanded financial opportunities to the residents of Mendocino and Lake counties.

Members in all branches will enjoy free, comprehensive meetings with a registered financial advisor who will help them further their financial plan and define their financial goals.

Golden State Wealth Management advisors provide a range of services, including: equity investments, business retirement accounts, estate planning, life insurance, financial planning, and more.

"Mendo Lake Credit Union is excited to announce our partnership with Golden State Wealth Management,” said Richard Cooper, CEO of Mendo Lake Credit Union. “We look forward to them providing our members with investment opportunities, comprehensive asset management, and the added benefits of retirement and estate planning."

Golden State Wealth Management was organized in Mendocino County in 2005, and is a Registered Investment Advisor offering comprehensive investment strategies based on timely, unbiased research and industry-leading technology.

With founding partners that bring over 50 years of financial experience, they are dedicated to addressing the financial planning needs of individuals, businesses and families across the nation.

Golden State Wealth Management is aligned with LPL Financial, the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer, to provide comprehensive tools and research necessary in today’s complex markets.

“As a member of Mendo Lake Credit Union and a resident of Mendocino County, I am thrilled to provide our community with the services that our financial advisors offer,” said Daniel Catone, president of Golden State Wealth Management. “My hope is that this partnership brings further financial freedom and prosperity to Mendocino and Lake counties.”

Wealth manager Jim Goetz will be serving the Ukiah, Clearlake and Lakeport branches. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Goetz has been serving the financial needs of the residents of Mendocino and Lake counties for more than eight years.

Wealth manager Bradley Gardner will be serving the Fort Bragg credit union branch. Gardner has been a financial advisor for more than 15 years and is a founding partner of Golden State Wealth Management. He was born and raised in Northern California.

Credit union members can schedule an appointment by contacting their local branch. For more information, visit www.MLCU.org and www.GoldenStateWM.com/MLCU .

The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who came out to the 49th annual International Worm Races during the Lakeshore Lions Club’s Redbud Festival and Parade.

We would like to congratulate our winners: Amber Arthur, first place; Gian Fouche, second place; and Jazymyn Smith and James Zenca Wallman-Jordon, third place.

We would also like to thank Kevin Ness Jewelers for donating the trophies commemorating this year’s event; Foods, Etc. for donating gift cards for our winners; and Nott’s Liquor, for donating our wriggly worms.

Also, thank you to our worm master, Alvaro Valencia, and Angela Newfeld, for all her help during and after the races.

See you at the 50th annual International Worm Races next year!

Jo Bennett is president of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce in Clearlake, Calif.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – After a three-week hiatus, the sound of engines, the smell of rubber and the excitement of racing returned to Lake County on Saturday, July 23.

Lakeport Speedway hosted the 17th race of the 2016 Lakeport Ukiah Challenge Saturday night featuring the Bandoleros, Taco Bell Bombers, T&T Towing Jalopies, Jammers and Legends for a hot night of racing action.

Bandolero driver Lane Anderson battled it out with the No. 3 of Trey Daniels to win both the heat and main events. Daniels is second place in points in the division with Lane Anderson in third. The upcoming races could be intense as the battle for champion continues.

Taco Bell Bombers brought action with 62JR of Roy Ingalls Jr. taking the heat race. Ingalls Jr.’s efforts to sweep the division for the night became just a wish as A division points leader Bob Mook took the checkered flag in his 88.

Mook and Ingalls Jr. are keeping the season intense as they hold the first and second places in Bomber A points. The battle for champion is going to come down to the wire. Brandon Verde is holding steady in the B Bomber Championship points but there are plenty of drivers challenging him for the win.

Fast becoming a fan favorite, the T&T Towing Jalopies slung some mud and entertained the crowd with their love taps. Tony Espicha drove his No. 2 to win the heat race. Wayne Hunt drove the number 1 hard and took the lead in the main event taking the win.

The action was intense in the Jammer division with the hard racing for first. Brandi Robertson pushed her number 14 to the lead and took the flag in the Heat Race.

No. 2 driver David Rogers lead the pack and won the checkered in the nine-car main event. Nine points separate the Pro Jammer division leaders with Elizabeth Ingalls in first, and Gene O’Dell Sr. close behind.

With two heat races, the Legends kept the crowd excited and entertained. In the first heat race, number 27 driver, Zach Frazer took the win in the first heat race and Bill Kistenmacher won the second heat in number 74.

James Stillman won the 11 car main event when the checkered flag came down on his number 43. Kistenmacher holds a 103 point lead over second place Frazer in the championship race. With four nights of Legend racing in the season, there is bound to be some exciting races in the future.

 
Lakeport Speedway results – July 23

Bandoleros
Finish, number, racer
1   44    Lane Anderson
2   3     Trey Daniels

Main
Finish, number, racer
1     44    Lane Anderson
2     3     Trey Daniels

Taco Bell Bombers
Finish, number, racer
1     62JR  Roy Ingalls Jr
2     40    Bradley Brackett
3     88    Bob Mook
4     98    Dustin Kuhl
5     16X  Bobby Gilbert
6     58    Brandon Verde
           
Main
Finish, number, racer
1     88    Bob Mook
2     62JR  Roy Ingalls Jr
3     16X  Bobby Gilbert
4     40    Bradley Brackett
5     58    Brandon Verde
6     98    Dustin Kuhl

Jalopies
Finish, number, racer
1     2     Tony Espicha
2     107   Jose Lopez
3     7     Laura Hunt
4     14    Jose Horacio
           
Main
Finish, number, racer
1     1     Wayne Hunt
2     2     Tony Espicha
3     7     Laura Hunt
4     8     Rick Mollett
5     14    Jose Horacio
6     22    Chance Smith
7     107   Jose Lopez
8     5150  Mark Gordon

Jammers
Finish, number, racer
1     14    Brandi Robertson
2     2     David Rogers
3     20    Danny Helm Sr
4     51    Bo Robertson
5     48    Gene Odell Sr
6     62    Elizabeth Ingalls
7     88    Gene Odell Jr
8     77    Tiona Smith
9     22    Natya Hanson
           
Main
Finish, number, racer
1     2     David Rogers
2     14    Brandi Robertson
3     51    Bo Robertson
4     48    Gene Odell Sr
5     62    Elizabeth Ingalls
6     77    Tiona Smith
7     88    Gene Odell Jr
8     20    Danny Helm Sr
9     22    Natya Hanson

Legends
Finish, number, racer
1     27    Zach Frazer
2     43    James Stillman
3     8     Aidan Daniels
4     10C   Carlee Austin
5     18    Jon Santebanes
6     7     Steve Sprague
           
Heat 2
Finish, number, racer
1     74    Bill Kistenmacher
2     12    Kylie Daniels
3     86R   Jaden Fisher
4     4     Rob Alberigi
           
Main
Finish, number, racer
1     43    James Stillman
2     27    Zach Frazer
3     86R   Jaden Fisher
4     74    Bill Kistenmacher
5     8     Aidan Daniels
6     10C   Carlee Austin
7     12    Kylie Daniels
8     4     Rob Alberigi
9     18    Jon Santebanes
10    7     Steve Sprague
11    27C   Cameron Austin

Racing returns to the Ukiah Speedway Saturday, July 30, with Taco Bell Bombers, T&T Towing Jalopies, Jammers and Modifieds.

Check out www.lakeportspeedway.com or www.ukiahspeedway.com for more information.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center’s new “Art Talks” series will present wood sculptor Marcus Maria Jung on Saturday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m.

Jung was born in Germany, but has lived in California since 1998.

His art studio on Cobb Mountain perished in the Valley fire, but many of his pieces, created from our local forests, survived. Many new ones have been fashioned from the rubble.

Time magazine recently published an excellent article on “The Healing Power of Nature.” It discusses how walking in a forest, breathing its air and hearing the forest’s sounds is good for the human psyche. The article also mentions how beneficial it is even to simply view nature out one’s window.

Jung’s works, known as “Tree Souls,” have been polished to glistening beauty, enhancing their natural contours. But the true wonder is in touching them; one can feel their healing energy.

Holding a small piece induces a state of deep relaxation. The larger pieces are like totems, bringing the awe of nature into our space.

Jung recently returned his “Circle of Elders,” a Stonehenge-like tree installation that was originally created for the EcoArts Sculpture Walk, to Lake County. It was recently the focus of a sunset ceremony on a Malibu beach, hosted by a local gallery there.

He will also be screening his excellent photographs, discussing his artistic inspirations and influences, drawn from his travels around the world. In addition, he’ll discuss the development and refinement of his work processes.

Jung explained, “My sculptures and installations function as a reflection of our relationship with nature, and as a portal to connect to the physical and metaphysical world.”

Several “Tree Souls” sculptures are part of Middletown Art Center’s (MAC) current exhibit, “Multi Lingual.”

Visit the exhibit Fridays from noon to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. until Aug. 14.

Jung’s presentation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 30. The suggested donation is $5. Light refreshments will be available.

MAC is an arts nonprofit made by and for community members. The “Art Talks” series will feature artists and aficionados presenting and speaking about painting, sculpture, photography, music, film and other media, detailing themes, techniques and influences.

The EcoArts Sculpture Walk is currently on view at the MAC Art Garden on the corner of Highways 29 and 175 and open dawn to dusk daily. Art Classes for all ages, in a variety of modalities and media are regularly offered. A two-week healing arts program, open and free to the public, will begin Aug. 8. Musical events happen bi-monthly on Friday evenings.

The Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 Highway 175.

Learn more about MAC at www.middletownartcenter.org , call 707-809-8118 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mother-Wise program is looking for community members interested in volunteering.

Mother-Wise volunteers are trained to provide invaluable assistance for Lake County moms to help them ease into their new role, while giving their babies the best possible start.

Registration is now open for the next volunteer training, where ordinary women learn the skills needed to give extraordinary support to new moms as they adjust to the joys, challenges and demands of motherhood. 

The Saathi (Sanskrit for “companion” ) volunteers make home visits and help their moms through all kinds of challenges while building relationships and support systems powerful enough to change lives.

Since its beginning in 2010, this program has enriched and benefited moms and volunteers alike.

The upcoming training program will teach the basics of home visiting, including the special needs of mothers, effective communication with families, active listening skills and signs and effects of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression.

Following the training, Saathis are matched with a mom in their area. While they are trained to notice signs of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and make appropriate recommendations, their main role is simply being there for the mom they support. 

Current and past volunteers tell of how deeply satisfying it is to work with moms, new babies and the rest of their family.      

As Mother-Wise grows and serves more Lake County families, so does the need for caring volunteers. Not everyone can commit to being a Saathi, but there are many other ways to get involved.

They currently need a group leader for a weekly support and play group, fundraising help and extra hands for help with our free supply closet.

A short visit, a listening ear, delivering a meal, holding a baby, a simple walk – the gift of time is invaluable and leaves a lasting impression on our mothers and families.

The program welcomes all volunteers, but new Saathis are needed throughout the county.

The next Saathi training is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 13, at the Mother-Wise office at 180 N. Main in Lakeport.

If you have time and experience to share with a mom from our community, or want to help in another way, you can register by calling Jaclyn Ley at 707-349-1210.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Due to its potential health risks, federal, state and county agencies are urging swimmers, boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with or use of waters containing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), now blooming in a reach of the Pit River arm of Shasta Lake, and in Lake Britton in Northern California.

Sampling has confirmed low concentrations of cyanobacteria (Anabaena spp.) and the associated toxin, Anatoxin-a, in the upper Pit River arm of Shasta Lake, in the Pit River at Big Bend, and near the State Park Boat Ramp at Lake Britton.

Recreational water users of the Pit River arm of Shasta Lake, and Lake Britton are urged to use caution and avoid getting in the water or letting dogs swim near these bloom areas.

Blue-green algae can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. The affected area is approximately between the “No Ski” buoy markers near the middle arm and the buoys at the head of the Pit arm and in Lake Britton.

The bloom density is variable and wind and currents can move and concentrate the bloom. It is recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water in locations with blooms, and avoid swallowing or inhaling water spray in an algal bloom area.

Although a bloom was not observed at Big Bend, Anatoxin-a levels in the water indicate the same cautionary measures are recommended along the lower Pit River between Lake Britton and Lake Shasta.

The algal bloom appears as bright green in the water with streaks that look like spilled paint. The blooms can also appear as blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats that can float on the water and accumulate along the shore.

Recreational exposure to toxic blue-green algae can cause eye irritation, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold and flu-like symptoms. Liver failure, nerve damage and death have occurred in rare situations where large amounts of contaminated water were directly ingested.

Pets can be especially susceptible since they tend to drink the water and lick their fur after going in the water.

The Statewide Guidance on Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Blooms recommends the following for blue-green algae impacted waters:

– Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water, swim through algae, scums or mats, or lick their fur after going in the water. Rinse pets in clean water to remove algae from fur.
– Avoid wading, swimming, or jet or water skiing in water containing algae blooms or scums or mats.
– Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated surface water from these areas under any circumstances; common water purification techniques (e.g., camping filters, tablets and boiling) do not remove toxins.
– People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from these areas. Limit or avoid eating fish from these areas; if fish are consumed, remove guts and liver, and rinse filets in clean drinking water.
– Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae.

For more information visit the following:

– California Department of Public Health: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/environhealth/water/Pages/Bluegreenalgae.aspx ;

– State Water Resources Control Board - California CyanoHAB Network: http://www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/monitoring_council/cyanohab_network/index.html ;

– California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, information on microcystin: http://oehha.ca.gov/ecotoxicology/general-info/information-microcystins ;

– US Environmental Protection Agency CyanoHAB Web site: https://www.epa.gov/nutrient-policy-data/cyanohabs ;

– US Environmental Protection Agency, Anatoxin-a report: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/anatoxin-a-report-2015.pdf .