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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture is pleased to announce its 2016 AgVenture class.

Twelve community leaders from a range of positions were selected to participate in the seventh year of this popular program, which got under way this past week.

Selection into the AgVenture program is based upon an invitation and on the applicant’s interest in the program, their professional position in the community, and their ability to help maintain a viable agricultural industry in Lake County.

Members of the 2016 class include Robert Massarelli, Lake County Community Development director; Katherine “Kat” McDowell, real estate broker, Real Estate Alliance and Lease; Andy Lucas, business representative, Community Development; Will Evans, deputy Water Resources director, county of Lake; Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, property management, community mitigation and consulting; Roberta Lyons, conservation chair, Redbud Audubon Society; Morgen Wells, public relations and philanthropy, Sutter Lakeside Hospital; Genevieve V. Jopanda, chief of staff, State Board of Equalization; Brian Martin, Lake County sheriff; Mark Melendez, Agriculture Department, county of Lake; Courtney Van Leuven, adjunct agricultural instructor, Lake County Campus of Woodland College; and Victoria Brandon, Lake County Sierra Club.

AgVenture is an innovative concept in agricultural education designed for non-farming community leaders and others who wish to understand the vital role that local agriculture plays in Lake County’s economy.

Class members gain a broad knowledge about agriculture and farming in general, and more specifically about the heritage, culture, economy, and business of local agriculture.

AgVenture sessions cover topics including labor, history, marketing, water and land use, agro-tourism, and sustainability.
   
“This program has grown exponentially in popularity over the past seven years. We had so many stellar applicants this year that our selection process was truly challenging. We feel fortunate that we’ve created something that people find valuable,” said longtime AgVenture Steering Committee member and event creator, Annette Hopkins.

The first session was Aug. 5, with future sessions planned for Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Nov. 4.

The first session focused on the pear industry; the second session looks at the winegrape industry; the third concentrates on walnuts; and the last session spotlights olives and labor.

Class members will hear from a wide range of specialists including “The Pear Doctor” Broc Zoller, PhD, PCA; Bruce Houdesheldt of the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition; and Cecilia Chi-Ham, PhD, leader of Public Property Resource for Agriculture’s Biotechnology Resources Program, among many others.

AgVenture participants also have opportunities to tour local a pear orchard, an olive mill, a walnut orchard and several wineries.

Generous sponsors for the 2016 series of seminars include the following people and businesses: Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Scully Packing, Bella Vista Farming, Weed Tech, Wilda Shock, Kenny Parlet, Umpqua Bank, Rainbow Ag, Monica Rosenthal, Mary O’Meara and Lois Suchan, American AgCredit, Lake County Farm Bureau, Groody River Films, Lucerne Roofing and Lisa Wilson.
   
Additional support has been provided by Tallman Hotel, Gregory Graham Winery, Chacewater Wine and Olive Mill, the Lake County Winegrape Commission and the Lake County Winery Association, Boatique Winery, Suchan Farm and Nursery, Beckstoffer Vineyards and Henderson Orchards.     

The AgVenture program Steering Committee, all CWA members, are Annette Hopkins, Paula Bryant, Toni Scully, Diane Henderson, Terry Dereniuk, Debra Sommerfield and Brenna Sullivan.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Jobe Watersports is bringing the fun of stand up paddle boarding to Clear Lake on Aug. 15 in Lakeport.

Jobe Watersports recently announced the details of its “SUP 2 The People” demo tour.

The tour launched on July 17 and includes stops in Colorado, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon before finishing on Aug. 21 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The Netherlands-based company makes stand up paddleboards, wakeboards, water skis, wetsuits, life jackets and other watersports gear.

Visitors at each of the tour’s 25 stops will have the chance to try Jobe stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and experience products from tour co-sponsors Johnnie-O clothing, Bai Beverages, Eagle Eyes, CLIF Bar, JoFit, Eagles Nest Outfitters, GU Energy Gel and Rockview Farms.

The tour is scheduled to be in Lake County on Monday, Aug. 15, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Library Park’s Third Street Boat Launch in Lakeport.

Numerous Jobe stand up paddle boards and gear will be available for free tryouts.

Local SUP groups, paddling clubs and dealers will support nearly all of the tour’s stops.

“We want to get more people on the water,” said Maud Broekmeulen, marketing manager for Jobe Watersports. “Whether they’re trying the sport for the first time, or trying out the latest technology, we want them out there having fun.”

Two Jobe brand ambassadors, Stephanie Lynn Martin and Taylor Reed Newton, will lead the tour. Martin and Newton were selected as part of a contest leading up to the tour.

“Spending the summer introducing people to a sport I love is a dream come true,” said Newton. “Add in the chance to see some of the most beautiful places in the country, and it’s hard to imagine a better summer ‘job.’”

Martin and Newton will share their experiences through Jobe’s social media channels, including @jobewatersports on Twitter, @jobesup on Instagram, Jobe SUP on Facebook and JobeSports  on Snapchat.

The complete tour schedule is available at www.jobesports.com/sup2thepeople .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Taylor Observatory and Norton Planetarium will host a special show on Thursday, Aug. 11, to mark the Perseids meteor shower.

The Friends of Taylor Observatory group invites Lake County residents to enjoy the Perseid shower from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the observatory, 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.

Meteors showers occur when the orbit of the earth intersects the debris from a comet that passed through the solar system in the past.  For example, the Perseids meteors are remnants of Comet Swift-Tuttle. 

Generations of families have enjoyed the yearly celestial show of Perseid meteors cascading from the sky. 

A possible “Jupiter enhancement” may double the number of meteors seen this year. According to NASA astronomers, Jupiter’s gravity has shifted the comet’s debris stream in such a way that collisions with the earth’s atmospheric shell will be increased, producing up to two times the normal 100 per hour rate from dark sky locations. 

Enjoy a talk on meteors at 9 p.m., consult with Taylor astronomers, view the planetarium show “Firefall” between 9 and 10 p.m., observe Mars, Saturn the moon and several deep sky objects through the observatory’s telescopes from 10 to 11 p.m., and from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. watch the meteor shower.

Guests should bring warm clothing and a ground cover or lawn chair for observing the meteors. Meteors are best viewed after midnight.

Admission is free but donations to benefit STEM education for Lake County schools are always appreciated. 

Visit www.taylorobservatory.org or www.friendsoftaylor.org or for more information call Friends of Taylor Observatory President Bill Haddon at 415-209-3084.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office, in conjunction with Impact Teen Drivers, is offering a free presentation aimed at reducing collisions in Lake County caused by reckless and distracted driving.

The Impact Teen Drivers organization will make its unique, educational presentation beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.

All interested community members are invited to attend this presentation which, according to CHP Officer Kory Reynolds, is very impactful.

“I had the pleasure of seeing this presentation about three years ago and have been looking for the opportunity to bring it to Lake County,” Reynolds said. “While the main focus is to educate and hopefully impact our young drivers, Impact Teen Drivers is something everyone will find educational and worthwhile.”

Automobile collisions have been the leading cause of death for American teens for generations.

Since 2007, Impact Teen Drivers has emerged as a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing this pervasive yet 100-percent preventable crisis.

Impact’s mission is to change the culture of driving forever thereby saving lives not only in this generation of drivers, but also in all future generations of drivers.

Impact Teen Drivers endeavors to do this through a nationwide educational program that confronts the dangers and consequences of reckless and distracted driving.

With manifold free online materials, and direct trainings available, its unique grassroots framework empowers people to make meaningful behavioral changes in their own driving habits, as well as to promote safe driving in their community.

Distracted and reckless driving is a multifaceted public health crisis that requires a multi-faceted response, so while Impact’s message remains the same – to end it – the formats and venues to spread it vary.

Impact has developed evidence-based curricula and guides for different professional fields, and for different target audiences.

Impact Teen Drivers offers myriad free resources to educators, first responders, health care professionals, parents, community members, and teens and teen organizations.

“We are excited to partner with Impact Teen Drivers and Twin Pine Casino to educate our young drivers about the dangers of unsafe driving behaviors,” said Lt. Hector Paredes, commander of the CHP's Clear Lake Area office.

“All too often, the CHP is called upon to investigate traffic conditions where people are seriously injured or worse and it's determined that the cause was a teen's distracted driving,” Paredes said. “Impact Teen Drivers is an excellent program to emphasize that these collisions are 100-percent preventable when teens adopt safe driving practices.”

To find out more about this free event contact Officer Kory Reynolds at the CHP's Clear Lake Area office at 707-279-0103.

For more information on the Teen Impact Drivers program, visit the organization's Web site at www.impactteendrivers.org .

ACCUWEATHER GLOBAL WEATHER CENTER – AccuWeather reports as the weather pattern transitions to La Niña this fall, warm weather is predicted across much of the eastern United States. Meanwhile, developing dryness and worsening drought conditions will grip the majority of the western U.S. The Northwest may mark the only exception where cooler air will rule as a result of frequent showers.

Warm, dry weather to dominate fall across the Northeast, mid-Atlantic

Those anticipating the turn to cool fall weather will have to wait longer than usual this year as a warm, dry start to the season is in store for the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

Typical cool shots will hit the region at times in October and November, but prolonged chilly weather will wait until late in the fall for most areas.

“As far as Philadelphia and New York City, I would expect that you're not going to see many arctic shots or cold shots to spoil your plans here in the fall,” AccuWeather Expert Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

“The only days that really may be cool are those that are wet. If the season follows our predictions, we're not expecting too many of those coming up,” he said.

The warm, dry conditions will lead to a promising harvest season for farmers and excellent weather for those attending fall festivals. Leaf peepers may get the short end of the stick, however.

“Fall foliage looks like it may be hurting just a bit because of the current dry conditions going on and then what we expect in September and October...,” Pastelok said. “Those leaves, they may not be as vibrant and they may not stay on the trees very long.”
 
Southeast to remain on alert for tropical impact into peak of Atlantic hurricane season

Opposite of areas farther north, the Southeast will experience largely beneficial wet weather early.

Northern and southern edges of the region, in South Florida and the Tennessee Valley, may be the dry pockets this fall, while rain spreads over the rest of the area.

An active weather pattern in October may allow severe storms to form across Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina at times.

“Fronts and any tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, that will all contribute to help out and break this short-term drought that they're in right now,” Pastelok said.

Experts predict the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season will yield a normal or slightly above-normal number of storms. However, regardless of season totals, one or two more impacts may be in store for the U.S.

Severe weather to follow early fall warmth in the Midwest

The beginning of fall may seem like an extension of the summer season for much of the Midwest, as heat waves grip the region into September.

“Places like Chicago, St. Louis and Des Moines, they still have chances to touch 90 degrees or better for a few days in early September,” Pastelok said.

Severe storms will also intrude on the season for some areas, including in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri.

“Let me stress, though, this is not going to be frequent...,” he said. “I think there will be some breaks in between [storms] ...”

Cold to hold off until late fall for central US

Warm and dry conditions will extend over the northern Plains into October, before a quick turnaround to fall-like weather.

Cold shots are predicted to arrive by the middle to late November, just in time for Thanksgiving. The cold air, paired with a likely transition to a La Niña weather pattern, could allow snow to fall in late November.

“The more snow we see, the colder the end of November and into early December will be,” Pastelok said.

In the southern Plains, a large area of developing dryness will promote hot weather into the fall. The exception may be in eastern Texas, where tropical moisture will help to lower temperatures.

Despite the temperature divide across the region, severe weather is unlikely to pose a major risk into fall.

Cool, showery weather in store for Northwest

Cool, showery weather will define the fall across the Northwest.

Periods of wet weather, sometimes lasting for a few weeks at a time, will allow cooler air to become entrenched across the region. However, there's hope for those looking to enjoy some early fall days outdoors.

“You're still going to have some warm days. So, I wouldn't cancel out the Northwest as far as outdoor plans go. Just be cautious that there could be some [wet] periods that go on for a couple of weeks.”

Snow could build up in the highest elevations of the Northwest as soon as late September or early October this year, slightly faster than normal.

Lack of rain to amplify drought in West

After El Niño failed to bring sufficient rain and snow to California and the West over the winter season, drought conditions will continue to raise the risk for devastating wildfires.

Heading into the peak of the wildfire season, which stretches into September, a lack of moisture will allow dry vegetation to serve as fuel for new and ongoing blazes.

“It's bad now and it's only going to get worse,” Pastelok said.

Additionally, Santa Ana winds will fan the flames of existing fires, helping them to spread.

Dryness will also continue in the Southwest, despite some early rainfall from the monsoon.

“We still may have another spurt of moisture here and there into early September in eastern parts of Utah, but other than that, those areas will start to dry out as well by middle fall,” Pastelok said.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Ladies 40-9ers Golf Club rounded out July with two nine-hole events.

The first was a low net score game on July 21.

The results were:

– Flight one: First place, Joy Ryan, net 33; second place (tie), Barbara Harris and Bonnie Eagleton.

– Flight two: First place, Mariana Bendinelli, 33; second place, Gwen DeRosa, 38; third place, Kit Hoss, 40.

– Flight three: First place, Liz Cummesky, 28; second place (tie), Floydean Greenlow and Diana Schneider, 35.

– Flight four: First place, Denyse McCracken, 36; second place, Linda Millard, 39; third place (tie), Barbara Carver and Pat Bright, 48.

The club also honored Toni Stratton for being the most improved golfer from June 1 to July 1.

Then the group held another low net score game on July 28.

The results were:

– Flight one: First place, Joy Ryan, 33; second place (tie), Barbara Harris    and Mariana Bendinelli, 35.

– Flight two: First place, Gwen DeRosa, 37; second place, Julia Yamashita, 39.

– Flight three: First place, Floydean Greenlow, 37; second place, Marla Peterson, 40; third place, Toni Stratton, 44.

– Flight four: First place, Denyse McCracken, 37; second place, Linda Millard, 41.