LAKEPORT, Calif. – The grand opening of the Lakeport Senior Center's “Accessory” gift shop was well attended on Tuesday, July 1.

“It seems everyone was anxious to get outfitted for our upcoming Hot August Nites dinner-dance.  Poodle skirts Just few off the racks, as did cinch belts and neck scarves,” said sales clerk Tammie Mandeville.

The purpose of the temporary shop is to bring attention to and enhance the fun of the upcoming '50s event, to be held Friday, Aug. 15, at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave.

“Accessory” also is a benefit for Meals on Wheels of Lakeport and Kelseyville, so that no senior goes hungry.

Prices are very reasonable, many starting at $1. Supplies are limited, but quite varied, from fuzzy dice to men’s and women’s clothing, souvenir glassware, jewelry and more.

“If you want to get something new for out '50s dance, we are the place to shop,” said sales clerk Sandy Baroni.

“Accessory” is located at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center.

Shop hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.  

The shop will also be open until 9 p.m. Aug. 15.

For additional information call 707-263-4218.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee is issuing a call for submissions for the 21st Annual Quilt and Textile Arts Exhibition.

The exhibition takes place from Aug. 2 through 30 in the Weaver Auditorium.

The public is invited to bring quilts and fiber artwork for display.  

Items will be accepted at the museum during regular business hours, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

The Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum is located at 16435 Main St.

For more information call 707-995-3565.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Californians are ready to celebrate their freedom this Independence Day by taking the first summer holiday of the year.

According to the latest AAA travel survey, just over 4.6 million Californians plan to journey at least 50 miles or more from home this upcoming holiday. This represents a 1.5-percent increase from 2013.

“Consumer confidence and steady economic improvement continue to be major factors for the overall increase in travel this year,” said Pablo O’Brien, VP Travel Products AAA Northern California. “With the Fourth of July weekend being the busiest summer travel holiday, we can expect increased airport congestion, highway backups and higher travel expenditures.”

AAA projects approximately 3.7 million Californians will drive to reach their holiday destinations. That’s a 2-percent increase when compared to travel figures from 2013.

Air travel will decrease by 0. 2 percent with more than 545,000 travelers expected to take to the skies. More than 400,000 state residents plan to travel by other modes of transportation, such as rail, bus and watercraft. This represents a decrease of 0.6 percent when compared to travel figures from last year.

Nationally, AAA forecasts more than 41 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, representing a 1.9 percent increase compared to last year.

Independence Day holiday weekend airfares are expected to decline by 5 percent with the lowest round-trip rate averaging $215 per ticket to the top 40 U.S. air routes, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index.

Hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are increasing by 9 percent this year, averaging $178 per night.

Weekend car rentals are expected to remain at last year’s rates, with an average weekend rate of $58.

AAA recommends the following Road Trip Prep Guide for summer travel to help ensure safety, security and peace of mind.

AAA Before-You-Go Checklists:

• Emergency supplies: Make sure you keep a flashlight, batteries, first-aid-kit, bumper cables and a basic tool kit in your trunk.
• Cell phone and charger: Always pack a charger and load up your phone with emergency phone numbers you will need for your trip.
• Extra blanket and warm clothing: Always a good idea to keep extra clothing items in the trunk should you get stranded on the road in evening hours, or need extra warmth in vehicle.
• Travel itinerary: It is important that others know where you will be and when to expect you home, in case of any unexpected emergency.
• Secure your home: Make your house look lived-in while you are away.

AAA Safe-Breakdown-Behavior Tips:

• Move your vehicle off the road safely away from traffic.
• Stay inside your vehicle and make sure all passengers stay inside. Keep doors locked and roll down the window only enough to ask a passerby to call police, if needed.
• If you can’t move your vehicle off the road, ask all passengers to exit the vehicle when it is safe to do so, and stand away from traffic.
• If you must walk to a phone, keep your group together.
• Warn other drivers by raising the vehicle’s hood, tying a white cloth to a door handle, or using reflective triangles or flares. Warning devices should be placed far enough away from the vehicle to give oncoming traffic time to react.

AAA Safety-Behind-The-Wheel Tips:

• Stay alert: Avoid driving while tired.
• Belt it: Always wear seat belts and make sure children are buckled up in proper safety seats.
• Put down the phone: Focus on driving. Phone calls and texts can wait.
• Don’t stray: Stay on main roads and highways.
• Take a Break: When stopping to rest, always lock vehicles doors, even if you are gone for a few minutes. Keep valuables in the trunk.
• Call a Pro: Do not stop to help a disabled vehicle. It can be dangerous to be out on the road in traffic. Instead, call AAA for emergency road service.

The free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android uses GPS navigation to help travelers map a route, find current gas prices and discounts, book a hotel, and access AAA roadside assistance.

Members using the iPad version can access interactive Top Destinations travel guides at www.AAA.com/mobile . On AAA.com, travelers can find thousands of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants using AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner guides at www.AAA.com/travel .

UKIAH, Calif. – Organizers for the Sept. 20 Gala fundraiser at Mendocino College are thrilled to announce that Coro Mendocino has agreed to provide wine stations for the wine and appetizer hour.

Awardwinning Mendocino County wines from this year’s Mendocino County Fairs Wine Competition will be served during the Gala’s formal dinner.
 
“This year’s Gala promises to be one of our most exciting, with both Coro Mendocino and our recent award winning wines from Mendocino County being poured during one event. I am not aware of any other event where so many of our premier wines will be available to guests,” said Diane Daubeneck, foundation director and special events chair.

Wine and appetizer stations will be placed around the stunning student plaza overlooking beautiful vineyards.

Coro producers include Brutocao Cellars, Claudia Springs, Fetzer Vineyards, Golden Vineyards, McFadden, McNab Ridge, Mendocino Vineyards, Parducci Wine C ellars, Philo Ridge Vineyards and Ray’s Station.

Every Coro wine is a signature blend, individually crafted in Mendocino County from 100 percent Mendocino County grapes, in strict accordance with the Consortium Mendocino Bylaws. Each Coro wine must lead with 40 to 70 percent Zinfandel and may be blended with up to nine named varietals, honoring the “Old Italian” field blends of Mendocino.

After guests enjoy the wine and appetizer hour, a sit down dinner will be prepared by the Mendocino College Culinary Arts Program and served by students from the Mendocino College MESA (math, engineering, science achievement) program.

Awardwinning wines from the 2014 Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition will be served exclusively following the wine and appetizer hour.

The wine competition scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1, at Mendocino College in Ukiah determines the best of the best wines from Mendocino County’s standard-bearers and newest groundbreakers.

The competition, one of the oldest wine judgings in the State, is open to all wines crafted from Mendocino County grapes.
 
“The Wine Competition partnered with the Mendocino College Foundation to provide a donation to their scholarship fund for students in Mendocino County pursuing an education in agriculture, stated Aubrey Rawlins, Wine Competition organizer.

Gala seating is limited, and event organizers predict a sold out event.  Seats may be purchased at www.mcfgala.com .

For more information about the Mendocino College Foundation or the 2014 Gala, call 707-467-1018 or visit http://foundation.mendocino.edu/ .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Hooves and Wheels Driving Club drill team will be performing at the Fiesta of the Horse again this year.

About a half dozen members of the club have been practicing for the last few weeks with their mini horses and ponies at Argonaut Farm in Lakeport.

They meet weekly, practicing a routine they have jointly created and then have paired with music.

Learning and practicing the drill is fun and teaches drivers and their ponies many skills.

Last year's routine was well received by the crowd and they are looking forward to performing their new routine this year at the event.

The Hooves and Wheels Driving Club is a horse driving club here in Lake County that meets monthly, offering clinics and hosting drives and other events.

Members drive everything from draft horses down to miniature horses and our events are open all equestrians, ridden or driven.

The Fiesta of the Horse will be part of Californio Days, being held at Rancho de la Fuente on Sunday, July 27.

The event celebrates history and agricultural heritage with music, food, arts and crafts.

The horse show has free admission and will begin at 10:30 a.m.

For more information about Californio Days and how to participate call 707-275-9234.

For more information about Hooves and Wheels Driving Club call 707-357-3009.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29, the SPCA of Clear Lake held an adoption special featuring both dogs and cats in which prices for the adoptable animals were greatly reduced.

The Cat and Dog Days of Summer adoption event was prompted due to a recent influx of kittens and puppies bringing the facility to capacity.

People came from far and wide – some as far away as Fairfield – to have a chance to adopt these healthy, happy pets who had already been spayed or neutered and received their first vaccinations.

Staff members and volunteers worked with each family to assure that the temperament of each animal was a perfect fit for each family.

Both young and old adoptees had smiles on their faces as they left with their new furry family member en route to their new forever homes.

At the end of the event,29 cats and kittens, along with 10 dogs and puppies were adopted!

The SPCA of Clear Lake would like to thank the volunteers and staff that made this event possible, as well as Dr. Glenn Benjamin DVM, who volunteered his services of spaying, neutering and vaccinating, and Boehringer Ingelheim who donated the vaccines.   

The SPCA of Clear Lake also would like to remind everyone that microchipping your pet might very well save their life.

An example of how successful microchipping can be was recently seen on June 9 when the SPCA received a female pit bull at the shelter from the Clearlake Animal Control officer.

The dog was scared but very friendly. SPCA staff checked for a microchip on the dog and found that she had one.

Because of the microchip, it was determined that the dog’s name was Chloe and that her owner was in a city four hours away.

When the SPCA contacted the family, SPCA staff was told that Chloe had been stolen two and a half months ago from their home. They had been looking for her ever since and had contacted their local animal shelters and vet clinics during their search.

Chloe’s family was so relieved that she had been found and they were reunited with her once more on June 11.

If your pet hasn't been microchipped, the SPCA urges you to consider this option. It is only $25 and that is for the life of your pet. No annual charges or membership fees. You can't put a price on peace of mind.

Microchipping is done the third Saturday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m., along with vaccinations and various animal testing.

The SPCA of Clear Lake also holds low cost weekly spay/neuter clinics and encourages everyone to participate to help reduce the number of homeless pets.

Visit the SPCA of Clear Lake at 8025 Highway 29 in Kelseyville or call them at 707-279-1400 for more information.

Brenda Crandall is press information officer for the SPCA of Clear Lake Board of Directors.