LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As moms and dads know, “boys will be boys” and for fun will indulge in such hazardous and disgusting things as rock, clod, egg and tomato fights.

In Lake County we also enjoyed the rare “sport” of throwing buckeye balls at each other.

The Western Buckeye (aesculus Californica) grows in well-drained areas. 

A group of trees 20 to 30 yards formed a great “battlefield.”

Each boy would claim a “fortress” with a built-in ammo dump. 

The ammo in the form of large round missiles hung from branches making it easy for even a small boy to pluck and throw them in rapid succession at the “enemy.”

Of course, today I look at this lustrous mahogany brown seed – very firm – dressed in gray, dangling from silver-gray branches, as a living sculpture. 

In spring the seed will sprout when it comes in contact with rain-soaked soil, resulting in a single or multi-trunk tree of 20 feet.

Dressed in large tropical-like leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers, it makes an ornamental to behold. 

Oops, I almost forgot the bees.

Unfortunately its pollen and nectar cause severe birth defects to young honey bees.

I have fond memories of “planting” many of these trees about a stones throw from my “fortress.”

You're invited to learn more about native flora and all phases of gardening as a member of the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club. 

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at the Scott's Valley Women's Club, 2298 Hendricks Road in Lakeport. A light lunch is served.

The next meeting will be Oct. 21 and will feature a presentation by Eric Schramm of Mendocino Mushroom.

He is the author of “The Mushroom Book” and will speak about wild mushrooms.

For more information please call Marva Brandt at 707-279-1625 or visit www.clttgc.org .

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Clubs Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Jerry Shaul is publicity chair for the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – It is not too late to purchase your ticket for the upcoming Lake County Land Trust Annual Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 11.

This year the Lake County Land Trust is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The event will be starting at 3 p.m. with entertainment provided by Deez Guise at The Lodge at Blue Lakes. 

Come early and enjoy the beautiful afternoon on the deck at the Lodge.

Tickets are $70 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 707-262-0707; calls will be returned to accept payment information.

Payment can be made by credit card over the phone, or by going to the Donate Now link at www.lakecountylandtrust.org ; mention “Dinner payment” in the “comments,” box.

You also can make reservations by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and someone will get back to you for payment information. 

Reservations are confirmed once payment is received.

Plan on spending the night at the Lodge at Blue Lakes and make a weekend of it.

For room reservations, call the Lodge at 707-275-2181 and mention that you are attending the Land Trust dinner.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge No. 6-166 will hold its next heritage and culture event on Sunday, Oct. 12.

The group will meet beginning at 1 p.m. at the Galilee Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

The October event's lunch will include cod with all the trimmings for a $5 donation.

A documentary on the Hjemkomst, Robert Asp's Viking ship that sailed from Lake Superior to Norway in 1982, will be shown.

The ship – the name of which means “homecoming” – was built in Hawley, Minn., and now is housed in the Hjemkomst Heritage Center in Moorhead, Minn.

The afternoon events include fellowship, interesting programs, a quick Norwegian language lesson and, occasionally, some dancing.

Visit the lodge's Web site at http://www.vikingsoflakelodge.org/ .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center is having a Christmas Crafts Faire on Saturday, Dec. 6.

It will be held from from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, 527 Konocti Ave.

There is space for 15 to 20 tables and the fee is $25 per table.

The center is looking for local craftspeople who would like to participate. They want good quality hand-crafted items only.

Those who participated last year will be given preference, so get your application in early for a spot.

Applications are available at the senior center front desk. Call the center at 707-263-4721 to request one be mailed to you.

The deadline to apply is Friday, Nov. 10, so get your request in early.

There will be food available during the day, and if Santa is available they will have him visit in the afternoon.

Get the holiday season rolling with a good old-fashioned Christmas faire, and support the senior center at the same time.

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.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Long Valley Road to Gravel Plant Road through Friday, Oct. 10. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 29

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance just south of the junction of Routes 29/281 (Kits Corner) beginning Tuesday, Oct. 14. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY
 
Highway 1

– 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.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at various location from the Noyo River Bridge to the DeHaven Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Gravel Pit Road to Chamberlain Creek. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from just west of Two Rock Lookout to Willits Cemetery Road will continue through Friday, Oct. 10. 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.
 
– Highway construction 1.0 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. A long-term detour is in place with a 20 miles per hour advisory speed. Motorists are urged to drive with caution and will experience minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Arnold Bridge Overhead will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., weekdays. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
 
– Pavement repairs from the Elizabeth Jane Rosewarne Memorial Bridge to Piercy will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.
 
Highway 128

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from 5.0 to 9.0 miles east of the junction of Routes 1/128 on Friday, Oct. 10. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from Philo to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
– Pavement repairs from Philo School Road to Road 150B will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
Highway 162

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from the South Eel River Bridge to The Middle Way through Friday, Oct. 10. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
Highway 253

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from the Soda Creek Bridge to Butler Ranch will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Branch No. 133 of the Sons In Retirement will hold its next meeting on Friday, Oct. 17.

The group meets at the Greenview Room, Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course, 19210 Hartman Road, on the third Friday of each month.

The meeting starts at 11 a.m. with lunch to be served at noon.

Lunch for the Oct. 17 meeting will be beef or chicken enchiladas with rice, refried beans and fresh salsa, or a cheeseburger.

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who are pursuing the goal of enjoying their later years. It has 142 branches with 18,000 members throughout the state.

Anyone interested in learning more about Sons In Retirement is encouraged to contact Ralph Clayton, secretary, at 707-995-1673, or Bill Lyon, acting membership chairman, at 707-929-3535.

Those interested in joining also may visit the Sons In Retirement Web site at http://sirinc.org/ .