News briefs –

LAKEPORT

Caregivers workshop addresses dementia, Alzheimer’s

LAKEPORT >> Hospice Services of Lake County and the Redwood Caregivers Resource Center will present a free two-part workshop designed to help individuals caring for a loved one with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other neurocognitive disorder. The “Power of Caregiving” workshop is slated for two Saturdays, April 15 and 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1862 Parallel Drive. Lunch and snacks will be provided for participants, and arrangements for respite care may be available with advance notice.

The presenting agencies recognize that caring for a loved one or client with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other neurocognitive disorder can forever change the lives of families and caregivers. There can be devastating effects on those providing long-term care, from financial pressures and legal quandaries to health problems and emotional turmoil. The workshop is intended to provide a supportive, educational opportunity to help participants increase peace of mind and understanding of caregiving and to feel less isolated and stressed by providing awareness of resources and widening their support systems.

In this two-part series, individuals who care for persons with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders will be given tools to increase their abilities to understand the challenging dementia-related behaviors. The tools will also aid the caregivers in efforts to communicate and remain “connected” with the family members and to understand common causes for family members’ resistance to allowing caregivers to provide personal care. Workshop instructor Alexis Glidewell, LCSW, will help participants explore feelings of denial and guilt and will offer tools for handling frustration that may occur for the full-time caregiver.

She will offer suggestions for self-care activities and encourage participants to share their own successful tools for maintaining energy and compassion while providing care for a loved one or special client. Glidewell, a member of the Geriatric Medicine Clinic in Santa Rosa, is associated with the Redwood Caregivers Resource Center, sharing her expertise in teaching classes and facilitating workshops and support groups. Hospice Services of Lake County’s mission is to support people by providing the highest quality medical, emotional and spiritual care that helps patients and their families who are navigating the end-of-life journey.

For more information, call Hospice Services of Lake County, (707) 263-6222. Find us on Facebook or visit the organization’s website at www.lakecountyhospice.org. — Submitted

CLEARLAKE

Teacher awarded £1,000 bonus

CLEARLAKE >> Tracy Young of Clearlake Creatitivty School in Clearlake has been awarded a £1,000 Amazon gift card through a nationwide sweepstakes courtesy of TCC, one of the nation’s largest Verizon-authorized retailers and a subsidiary of Round Room, LLC.

The award is part of TCC’s annual Teachers Rock initiative, which commenced in February. The £1,000 Amazon gift card sweepstakes by TCC aimed to help teachers enhance their classrooms for student learning experiences. More than 1,700 teachers registered for a chance to win one of 10 gift cards.

The non-winning teachers will still receive a gift from TCC on Teacher Appreciation Day (May 2) to thank them for their efforts. With their £1,000 Amazon gift card, Young plans to utilize the gift card for classroom supplies for P.E. and art classes, along with additional reading books students wanted in their library. “I am excited to use this generous gift from TCC to purchase some sensory seats, and wiggle seats to put around my classroom’s U shape table, as well as stock up on supplies such as pencils, sharpeners, erasers, papers, journals, paint, dry-erase boards, markers, etc.” Young said. “This recognition has me speechless and I can’t thank TCC enough for seeing the value educators, like myself, bring to our students daily .”

The sweepstakes was attached to TCC’s Teachers Rock initiative, which celebrated its 10th edition this year. TCC created the program in 2014 to give back to and show appreciation toward teachers nationwide. This year, TCC allocated funds to its retail stores to shower local teachers with love and support during the middle of a busy academic year.

Each store selected a group of teachers to give back to, with appreciation efforts spanning from catered meals and gift cards, to an assortment of sweets, school supply kits and much more. “TCC is proud to support these 10 teachers, including Tracy Young, and all educators across our nation who make invaluable impacts on the lives of students,” said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room and TCC. “Teachers are some of the hardest working individuals we have in society today, and all of us at TCC are proud to provide tokens of appreciation toward them each year through our Teachers Rock initiative.” To learn more about TCC, visit www.TCCRocks.com.

Customers can also connect with the company at www.facebook.com/tcctalk and www.twitter.com/tcctalk. — Submitted

LOWER LAKE

Guided nature walks continue

LOWER LAKE >> Monthly nature walks continue to be hosted on the second Saturday of each month at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. The next guided walk will be held Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The April nature walk will be led by Henry Bornstein, a certified California Naturalist and volunteer State Parks Docent. The route taken on the walk will depend on the weather and the condition of the trails. The hike should last between 1 1/2 and 2 hours.

Bring binoculars and meet in the parking lot at 8:15 a.m. for time to experience the early morning wildlife that can be found in the Ranch House and Barn complex yard. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge for the guided nature walk and parking is free for those attending.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. — Submitted

UKIAH

Mendo College Career Hub hosting career fair

UKIAH >> The Mendocino College Career Hub will host its Spring Career Fair on April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pomo Plaza on the Ukiah campus. This event will provide opportunities to network, recruit and interview candidates for potential internships, seasonal work, part-time jobs, and full-time employment.

It is open to all residents of Mendocino and Lake counties and there is no charge to attend. Employers interested in hosting a recruitment table at the event should register before April 12. Job seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their resumes and come prepared to network and/or interview.

Mendocino College students can schedule time with the Mendocino College Career Hub in preparation for the Career Fair by stopping by Room 1250 in MacMillan Hall. The growing list of organizations in attendance includes Savings Bank of Mendocino County, GRID Alternatives, City of Ukiah, US Cellular, Mendocino College — HR Department, Mendocino County Youth Project, Special Education Department, SSU, C&S Waste Solutions, Mendocino County Office of Education, The Works, Inc., Adventist Health, CareerPoint North Bay — Mendocino, MCHC Health Centers, DripWorks,METALfx, Mendocino County Human Resources, CHP — Ukiah, COPE Health Scholars, NCO Head Start Child Development Program, Geiger’s Markets, Redwood Valley Calpella Fire District, Compass SLS & ILS, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Scotts Valley Tribal TANF, Lake County Behavioral Health Services, Sherwood Valley Casino, Rocky Point Care Center, Mendocino Coast Clinics, Granite Construction, Lakeport Post Acute, County of Lake Human Resources, California Mentor Network, Coyote Valley Education Center, Mendocino County Dept. of Social Services, US Forest Service Mendocino National Forest, US Navy, Mendocino Forest Products LLC, US Air Force and Lake County Tribal Health Consortium Child. Mendocino-Lake Community College District was formed in 1972 to serve students in Mendocino and Lake counties.

Mendocino College offers dozens of degrees and certificates and has campuses in Ukiah, Willits, Fort Bragg, and Lakeport. Learn more at www.mendocino.edu — Submitted

SACRAMENTO

Bill would offer foster children free tuition

SACRAMENTO >> Senator Angelique V.

Ashby (D-Sacramento) and Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) recently addressed SB 307, the College for Foster Youth Act — which will make debt-free college a reality for foster students in California — passed the Senate Education Committee yesterday. “Ninety-three percent of foster youth say they want to go to college, and less than 4% actually get that opportunity. SB 307 is a game changer; it means California’s most vulnerable young people will be guaranteed a debt-free experience in our CSU, UC, and community college systems.

SB 307 covers any cost associated with tuition, housing, and books that has not already been covered by other means for foster youth in California,” said Senator Ashby. “Imagine telling a young person who has lost everything, including their family, that there is hope in the future and that they will have all the resources they need to attend college and emerge into adulthood without crippling debt. SB 307 protects the progress California’s leadership has made towards making college attainable for all.” “The cold hard truth is this: Foster youth have a high school dropout rate 3 times higher than any other low-income group, and just 4 percent earn a four-year college degree.

Every foster youth deserves the opportunity to achieve their college dream, but in too many cases that dream is out of reach due to financial barriers and the challenges that come about in the foster system,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire. “SB 307 will change countless lives by guaranteeing California’s foster youth the financial resources to go to, and through, college debt free by covering the full cost of attendance including housing, food and books. We’re excited to partner with Senator Ashby, John Burton Advocates for Youth, and young leaders across the state on this crucial legislation.” Many children and youth enter foster care due to serious abuse and neglect.

This trauma is often compounded by the instability they experience while in foster care, through placement and school changes. Together, these circumstances may lead to poor educational outcomes, most notably low rates of college completion. While about 64% of foster youth graduate high school (compared to 86% statewide), only 3-4% of former foster youth obtain a 4-year college degree.

Students in foster care are one of the most vulnerable and underperforming education subgroups in the state, due to instability in home and school placements. SB 307 seeks to reverse this trend by making debt-free college a reality for foster youth in California. Studies have shown that for foster youth who are able to enroll in higher education, many face barriers such as education costs, reliable housing and living expenses.

Alleviating education costs have improved foster youth college attendance and graduation rates. After passing the Senate Education Committee, SB 307 is headed to the Senate Human Services Committee. — Submitted

LUCERNE

Lucerne Alpine Senior Center serving lunch for seniors

The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center will be serving lunch for seniors age 55 and older and caregivers accompanying them every Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Suggested donation is £5 or whatever you can afford. Meals are prepared fresh onsite. Every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday.

A rotating menu of healthful, tasty favorites are served other days. The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive (between 9th and 10th avenues) in Lucerne. Doors open at 10 a.m.

Tuesday through Friday and lunch service begins at 11 a.m. — Submitted

LAKE/MENDOCINO COUNTIES

Lake and Mendocino County butterflies and moths on display

Butterflies and moths, with their seemingly endless variations of markings and colorations have long captured the imaginations of adults and children, alike. Lake and Mendocino counties are home to hundreds of species, and the team at Lake County’s Agricultural Center are thrilled to announce an exciting new educational display.

County residents and visitors are encouraged to visit 883 Lakeport Blvd., in Lakeport, to view an astounding 325 specimens and 254 different species. Twenty different butterfly and moth families are represented, including bird-like Sphinx Moths, flashy and delicate Gossamer-Winged Butterflies, beautiful Swallowtails, exotic Tiger Moths, and soft, cloudlike White and Sulphur Moths. Butterfly specimens in this collection range in size, from the Twin-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly, at over three inches across, to the Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly, the smallest in the world at half inch across.

Moth specimens range from the Ceanothus Silk Moth, at over four inches across, to the Microhelia Angelica, spanning less than half inch across. Some moths even have clear wings, mimicking wasps. This unique and remarkable project was started by Steven Hajik (County of Lake Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures from 2002-2022) in 2019, and completed shortly before his retirement in 2022.

The display could have not been completed without significant contributions from the UC Davis’ Bohart Museum of Entomology. Special thanks are due to Lynn Kimsey, Director of the Bohart Museum, for her insightful assistance in this endeavor. Agricultural Center staff look forward to sharing this extraordinary work with you; the collection is viewable Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm.

For more information, or to plan a group visit, please call 707-263-0217. — Submitted

LAKE COUNTY

Shakespeare at the Lake returns this summer

For nearly a decade, Mendocino College and the Lake County Theatre Company have joined forces to bring Shakespeare’s celebrated plays to the local stage. Shakespeare at the Lake will return this summer with its 8th annual production.

This year’s offering is “Measure for Measure.” As summer calendars begin to fill up with weddings, concerts, and vacations, be sure to set aside an evening to enjoy a live Shakespeare performance by the beautiful shores of Clear Lake. Performances are scheduled for July 29 and 30 at Library Park in Lakeport and August 4 to 6 at Austin Park in Clearlake.

Experience the gripping tale of power and corruption in Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” like never before! This new dramatic adaptation will take you on a thrilling journey through the twisted world of justice and authority, where no one is truly innocent and power can corrupt even the most virtuous. Don’t miss this unforgettable theatrical experience that will leave you questioning the very nature of power and corruption.

Save the date and be there to be a part of the conversation about one of Shakespeare’s most thought-provoking plays. If you’re interested in being a part of the production as a cast member, auditions are scheduled for May 20 and 23. Actors and backstage crew of all experience levels are needed.

Shakespeare at the Lake is generously supported by the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, the City of Lakeport, the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Clearlake.

— Submitted