LAKEPORT, Calif. – Looking for an opportunity to show off your grillin’ skills?

Individuals and groups interested in competing in the fifth annual Grillin’ on the Green barbecue competition are encouraged to sign up now.

The event is an annual fundraiser to benefit Westside Community Park in Lakeport.

It will take place 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road.

Each year Grillin’ on the Green attracts a larger number of attendees who enjoy a barbecue cook-off, musical entertainment, children’s activities and a car show.

Cook-off competitors may register through Friday, July 11, by calling Cindy Ustrud, 707-263-7091.

Individuals and groups, from backyard barbecuers to professional grillers, have an opportunity to compete in the cook-off. There is no entry fee.

Each contestant is required to provide his/her own setup and samples of the chef’s “grillin’” specialty for 300 people.

The competition will culminate in a presentation of the People’s Choice Awards.

The Park Committee also is seeking sponsorships for this year’s event. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000. Sponsors will be recognized at the Grillin’ on the Green event.

For cook-off entry forms or additional information about the event and the barbecue competition, contact Westside Community Park Committee Chair Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the next phase of development of Westside Community Park.

Westside Community Park is a City of Lakeport recreational facility that was established 15 years ago.

The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.

COBB, Calif. – Twenty-seven dogs and more than 40 humans joined Lower Lake dog trainer Suzi Stephens, her dog Scooter, and co-sponsors Friends of Boggs Mountain and Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food Company in making the second annual Dogs at Boggs a howling success.

The event was held at Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest just north of picturesque Cobb in mountainous southern Lake County, California, on Saturday, May 10.

Held trailside near the forest’s office building, the training portion of the event helped prepare dogs and owners for safe hiking and socializing.

“Your first priority when you are in public with your dog is your dog’s safety,” Stephens said.

She counseled against introducing your dog to every dog you meet. “I don’t like every human I meet,” she noted, “so why would I expect my dog to like every dog she meets?”

Stephens noted that the “sit,” “stay” and “come” commands are among the most useful when handling dogs in the forest.

She demonstrated sit and stay with her own dog Scooter, then borrowed Nala, a small terrier mix, to explain how to train a dog to sit, stay, and come. Nala was a great student, nearly trained in just minutes.

Stephens also discussed trail etiquette. “Do not allow your dog to chase bikers,” she admonished.  

She recommends stepping to the low side of the trail with your dog when meeting horseback riders. Mountain lions and other predators generally attack from above, and if we move lower, horses are less likely to mistake us for predators.

Stephens demonstrated shortening a leash to tightly control your dog as you step ten or twelve feet off the trail, speaking in a calm, friendly voice as horse and rider approach.

Stephens also demonstrated the use of poop bags, which most participants already use. “I turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, turn it inside in, tie a knot in it, and hook it to my belt to pack out of the forest.”

Thanks to Friends of Boggs Mountain, there are now four dispensers installed at forest entrances and camps.

Following the training session, Karen Rhoads led a hike on the 1.3-mile Interpretive Trail.

The hike’s theme was “The Edible Forest.” Temporary signs had been posted along the trail earlier, identifying plants that are edible by humans and dogs.

Rhoads talked about harvesting pine nuts for food during a water break at the halfway point.

First, she stressed that if you or your dog have peanut or tree nut allergies, avoid contact with pine nuts.

She then shelled some gray pine and Coulter pine nuts with pliers, and two adventurous hikers tasted them.

“Delicious,” both hikers exclaimed in surprise.

The group learned that the local pine nuts make rich, flavorful pesto.

Rhoads discussed the problem of rapid oxidation once a pine nut is outside its protective shell, recommending that we eat them quickly if shelled on the trail, and freeze them to preserve them as they’re shelled at home.

Following the hike, dog participants received bags that included treats, kibble samples and canned food from Evanger’s along with an “I’m a Boggs Dog” button.

Evanger’s also provided a gift basket of kibble, treats, canned foods and retail coupons that was raffled off to one lucky participant.

The Boggs Mountain Coloring Book, designed and illustrated by Karen Rhoads and published by Friends of Boggs Mountain, made its debut at Dogs at Boggs.

A number of copies were sold, with the author autographing each one.

Proceeds from coloring book sales support other projects of the non-profit, volunteer FOBM.

Sadly, the event ended and participants headed home, tired and happy.

Tent, water bowls, and extra leashes were stored for next year. Friends of Boggs Mountain already is planning the third annual Dogs at Boggs.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Free Family Movie Night is moving to Austin Park for the summer months.

The next showing is at 9 p.m. Friday, June 27.

The event is free and open to the community.

There will be popcorn and snacks (while supplies last), plus a family friendly movie displayed on a large movie screen from a projector.

Bring your own chair or cozy blanket to sit on.

Visit the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/898371783509344/ .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH) group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12.

The meeting will take place in the activity room at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.

The public is invited to attend.

Korby Olson, superintendent for Middletown Unified School District, will speak at the meeting.

There also will be discussion on plans for Middletown Days and use of the Middletown Square Park, and a letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding a ban on plastic bags in Lake County.

MATH meetings are subject to videotaping. Meeting proceedings may be available for viewing on public access television and/or the Internet.

MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.

The group’s current board of directors include Chairman Fletcher Thornton, Vice Chair Claude Brown, Secretary Ken Gonzales, and members Tom Darms and Laura Helton.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake High School class of 1989 is looking for classmates.

They ask members of the class to contact them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-472-6971.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local 4-H member Morgan Hayes is seeking the community's help in completing her Emerald Star Leadership Project.

Morgan, 12, now an eighth grader, has titled her project “Horse Blanket Roundup.”

“My goal is to collect 25 new or gently used horse blankets to donate to Lake County Animal Care and Control for the horses to receive,” she said. “The blankets will go home with the adopted horse.”

To help with Morgan's project, monetary donations or gently used blanket may be dropped off at the 4-H office at 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport. She also can be contacted at 707-994-9123 to make dropoff arrangements.

“On behalf of the horses and myself, thank you!” she said.

The 4-H Youth Development program is part of the University of California Cooperative Extension.

For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, call 707-263-6838.