LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Girl Scouts of Northern California will be hosting free fun and exciting Summer Express troops.  

Looking for fun this summer? Begin your Girl Scout journey by joining them for an introduction to Girl Scouting – with ceremonies, songs, games, crafts, snack and a patch.

Are you already a member of Girl Scouts? Come to their fun summer program and bring a friend too.

The five session summer program held at three different locations around Lake County for girls in entering kindergarten through fifth grades in the fall.  

The weekly program will begin the week of July 7th and continue through the first week in August.  

Program locations include; Lakeport, Middletown and Clearlake.

All program times are from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Local program are set to be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, July 8: Middletown Library, community room, 21256 Washington St., Middletown.
• Wednesday, July 9: United Christian Parish, 745 N. Brush St, Lakeport.
• Thursday, July 10: Lakeview Terrace apartments activity room, 7055 Old Highway 53, Clearlake.

To find out more information or register, please contact Michelle Meese at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-279-4689 Extension 3020.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Hundreds of wine and beer lovers flocked to Lakeport’s Library Park last Saturday for the 13th annual Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival last Saturday.

They were rewarded with tempting tastes from dozens of amateur wine makers and home brewers, as well as from some of the county’s leading commercial operators.

Ed Bublitz, president of the Lake County Symphony Association, said that it was probably the most successful in its 13-year history.  

The LCSA sponsors the event as its leading fundraiser, with proceeds going to underwrite the Lake County Symphony and Youth Orchestras as well as string music instruction and other youth music activities.  

He said that the summer solstice day coupled with perfect weather helped to generate the large turnout.

Music, too, played a prominent role, with the duo of David Neft and Steve Dubois anchoring a program made up of acoustic guitarist Travis Rinker and the toe-tapping rhythms of Kelseyville’s popular Konocti Fiddle Club.  

More than two dozen arts, crafts and other vendors were also on hand to provide a wide range of shopping opportunities.

However, it was the tasting of adult beverages that took center stage, with all of the amateur wines being judged by a panel of experts.  

In this category David Hicks, who splits his residence between San Francisco and Kelseyville, proved to be the runaway winner with two golds, three silvers and a bronze, as well as the coveted “Best of Show.”

Hicks has labeled his amateur winery “Ancient Lake Vineyards,” referring to Clear Lake, North America’s oldest lake.

Runners-up were Jamie Celozzi of Lakeport with two golds and a silver and Scott Simkover, of Kelseyville’s “Smiling Dog” ranch, with a gold, a silver and a bronze.  

Other winners were Michael Howell, of Philo with three bronzes for his  2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, and also 2010 and 2012 Pinot Noirs; Luciano Meconi, representing the Toffoli Group of  Finley for a 2013 Syrah; and Gregg and Jeff Conley of Middletown for their 2012 Rattlesnake red blend.

Hicks' Best of Show was for a 2013 Viognier which also won the gold. Other golds were for a 2011 Syrah, a 2012 Sangiovese, and a 2012 Malbec.  

Celozzi’s golds were for his 2011 and 2012 Syrahs while his silver was for a 2012 Sangiovese.  Simkover’s gold was for a 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, the silver for a 2012 red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while his bronze was for a 2012 Zinfandel.

An ever-popular feature of the Winefest is the “Peoples Choice” awards voted on by attendees.   

Winner of the “Best Red Wine” was Winona Toffoli and her Remembrancee Vineyard of Finley for a classic Syrah, while the “Best White Wine” award went to Zack and Broc Zoller of Kelseyville, for their Sauvignon Blanc. The Zollers also won for “Best Wine Label” design.

In the beers and ales category Tim and Alex O’Meara of Lucerne swept the field, winning awards for “Best Ale/IPA beer,” “Best Light Beer” and “Best Overall Beer.”

They capped their sweep by also winning “Best Beer Label,” although they squeaked by Joe Parker and Dan Wieman’s “Two Dudes Brew” of Kelseyville by just a single vote. The “Best Decorated Booth” award went to Celozzi.

Doug Rhoades, who served as master of ceremonies for the Winefest, joined with Symphony Association member Sheila Honeycutt in a farewell tribute to Mandy Feder who recently announced her departure from the Lake County Record-Bee, where she has served for the past seven years.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Lioness Club recently celebrated the addition of new members.

On Thursday, June 19, the group inducted into their fast-growing service club two new members, Sherry LeGalois and Debbie Villegas.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6, in observance of Independence Day.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– AT&T of Fort Bragg has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from 0.3 miles north of Lakeshore Drive to just north of Rancho Vista Drive through Friday, June 27. Work hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Gualala to Manchester through Friday, June 27. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Manchester to Navarro Bluff Road beginning Wednesday, July 2. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Paulson Excavating of Albion has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for incident cleanup and repairs 0.6 miles north of Albion. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Sidewalk enhancements near the junction of Routes 1/20 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 20

– Sidewalk enhancements from the junction of Routes 1/20 and Boatyard Drive will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from 0.9 mile west of the Broadus Creek Bridge to the Broadus Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Northern Aggregates, Inc. of Willits has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to add turn lanes just south of Black Bart Drive. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week.  Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Ryan Creek Road to Big Trails Drive. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work just north of Sherwood Road on Sunday, June 29. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Black Oak Ranch of Laytonville has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to allow access for the Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival to be held 4.5 miles north of Laytonville from Friday, June 27, through Monday, June 30. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Vegetation removal in preparation for culvert rehabilitation at various locations from Philo Greenwood Road to the Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 162

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree work from the junction with Route 101 to the Short Creek Bridge through Friday, June 27. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Russian River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 271

– Verizon of Weaverville has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from Old Route 101 to the Humboldt/Mendocino County line through Friday,. June 27 . Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake has donated $500 to support Dr. Dhanda’s work with Worldwide Healing Hands.

“I am most grateful to the Soroptimist International of Clearlake for their donation in support of my work with Worldwide Healing Hands, an organization dedicated to helping women and children in developing countries,” Dhanda said.

“In areas where $150 covers the expense of a major surgical procedure, this money will benefit many – both in terms of meeting individual surgical needs and by training local medical care practitioners – so that when our doctors and other volunteers return home they can carry on, providing vitally needed medical services,” she added.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee’s regular monthly meeting will take place on Thursday, July 3.

The meeting will be held beginning at 6 p.m. at the Lower Lake Methodist Church Community Meeting Room, 16255 Second St. in Lower Lake. A map can be found here: http://goo.gl/maps/A8oiW .
 
No guest speakers but they are making plans for their fair booth and the annual Legislator’s BBQ.
 
The agenda for the July 3 meeting also includes reports from representatives for Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and State Sen. Noreen Evans, as well as reports from the Stonewall Democratic Club Chair Essie Coons and representative from the Lake County Democratic Club Paula Mune.
 
Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.
 
The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.
 
For more information about the Democratic Party in Lake County visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org or www.facebook.com/LakeCountyDemocrats .
 
Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885.