UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with Don Angel Cellars and artist Matt Brunetti on Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4.

The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the studio, 9505 Main St.

The Saturday evening event will include an optional progressive four-course winemaker dinner at the Tallman Hotel following the appetizer course at the studio. 

Miguel and Lupe Silva of Don Angel Cellars will be at the studio and Tallman Hotel for the receptions and special Saturday dinner event and musical entertainment will be provided by vocalist/guitarist Mara.
 
The $12.50 ($10 per person for studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers will showcase Don Angel Cellars 2011 Sauvignon Blanc with Yerba Santa Dairy Chévre on Crostini, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon [Napa] with skewers of Beef and Heirloom tomatoes with Fennel Pollen, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon [Napa] with Aged Cheddar Truffles rolled in Rosemary and Red Walnuts and the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon [Lake County] with Roasted Mushrooms seasoned with Garlic and Rosemary.
 
Artist Matt Brunetti, raised in Lakeport, will show his current painted abstract imagery as well as cartoon graphic works.

His creative side made itself known at an early age as he vividly brought stories to life with imaginative illustrations.

Early works in pencil sketches, soon quickly evolved into pen and ink renditions of geometric shapes and patterns. So popular were these images that many of his friends requested them as templates for tattoos.
 
Brunetti’s artistic style was influenced by pop culture and in particular, Frank Kozik, an American graphic artist best known for his posters for alternative rock bands who inspired many of his character pieces.

The abstract expressionism of Brunetti's work was soon enhanced as he began working with oil and acrylic paints. Here he could achieve the vivid colors and textures that lent his work more depth.   Brunetti currently resides in Napa where he continues to explore his abstract imagery.
 
Winemaker Miguel Silva was born in Tejaro Michoacan, Mexico. In 1989 he moved to California and the following year he embarked on his career of making wines, learning every facet of the processes.  Silva was hired on as assistant winemaker for Steele Winery in Lake County from 1996 until 2004 and studied winemaking at UC Davis.

He then became the winemaker for another Lake County winery and in 2009 he began crafting the wines that would become his own award winning brand, Don Angel Cellars.
 
The wines and menu prepared by Chef Mark Linback at the Tallman Hotel on Oct. 4 will showcase the 2011 Lake County Viognier, 2010 Lake County Zinfandel and 2010 Lake County Petite Sirah Dessert Wine. A link to the dinner menu can be found at www.TallmanHotel.com . 

Reservations for the Saturday tasting at the studio and dinner at the Tallman are $75 plus tax and may be obtained by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.
 
Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artist's shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.

The gallery is open Mondays, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; 1 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; and 1 to 8 p.m. Fridays.

The Brunetti art show will be on display for the full month of October.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Oct. 2.

The group will meet at 6 p.m. in Lakeport at the United Democratic Campaign Headquarters at 390 N. Main St.
 
They will be working on their fundraiser barbecue to be held on Sunday, Oct. 5, in Clearlake at the Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., from 2 to 5 p.m., and considering endorsements for Lake County candidates and ballot issues.
 
The United Democratic Campaign Headquarters is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. If you would like to volunteer at the office, please contact us at 707-533-4885.
 
The agenda for the Oct. 2 meeting 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 please visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org or www.facebook.com/LakeCountyDemocrats .
 
Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join Moore Family Winery on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 27, for a taste of Spain with a sunset dinner.

You’ll sip on their favorite varietals while enjoying the show of traditionally cooked paella.

Enjoy the sounds of Flamenco guitar and take up an impromptu game of Bocce.

Then, partake in a delicious dinner which includes tapas, chicken and sausage paella, as well as seafood paella.

Ticket includes: tapas, salad, bread, paella, dessert and wine.

Tickets are $75 per person or $65 per person for wine club members.

Contact Stepheny Moore Johnson for tickets and more information at 707-738-0507 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – JoAnn Saccato will speak on the topic of mindfulness on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Redbud Library in Clearlake.

Saccato is a mindfulness teacher and consultant, Reiki Master/Teacher, author and inspirational speaker.

She says she “consults with businesses and individuals focusing on companioning each to live authentically, mindfully and consciously discovering and reaching their aspirations.”

This free program is open to the public.

Redbud Library, located at 14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake, is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m. The phone number is 707-994-5115.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.com and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake County Mediations will host another basic mediation training at United Methodist Church at First and Main streets in Kelseyville in October.

The training will be on Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m., and all day Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18 and 25. 

You can be a part of the solution to promote peaceful dispute resolution for residents of Lake County by becoming a volunteer mediator. 

The cost is $250 for the training, however if you make a commitment to serve as a volunteer mediator, the fee can be reduced to $125. 

The course also provides 28 hours credit for attorneys and paralegals. 

Call 707-263-6800 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. 

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Kiwanis Club of Lakeport will serve a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the old Natural High School site on Main Street in Lakeport.

Service will begin at 7 a.m. and conclude at 11 a.m.

The menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage or ham and beverages.

All proceeds from the pancake breakfast will benefits the Lake County Channel Cats.

The Channel Cats provide swim lessons and competitive swim competition for the youth of Lake County. 

They are responsible for much of the operation of the swimming pool located on the Lakeport School District property.

The breakfast will be held in conjunction with the annual Clear Lake Splash In.