MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Grindstone ranger district fire managers are preparing to begin the Little Stony prescribed fire approximately 50 miles southwest of Willows.

Depending on weather and environmental conditions, crews may ignite up to 200 acres early this week.

Within the planned project unit, approximately 55 acres are private land and 145 acres are on the Mendocino National Forest.

Developing the Little Stony prescribed fire project has been a long collaborative effort between Colusa County Resource Conservation District, Little Stony Inholder Alliance, CALFIRE, Firestorm and the Mendocino National Forest.

This project crosses jurisdictional boundaries and will be managed under a unified command structure involving the Mendocino National Forest, Cal Fire and Firestorm.

The entire project covers 2,975 acres on the Mendocino National Forest, 403 acres of private land and could take several years to complete.

The general forecast shows light southwest winds which will carry smoke up and to the northeast. Smoke may be visible from I-5 and surrounding areas. Caution signs are posted near the project area alerting forest users to prescribed fire operations and potential smoke.

The objectives of this project include reducing hazardous fuels and improving the protection of wildlife habitat, timbered lands and private lands.

Prescribed fires are conducted within a “prescription” that is determined by appropriate fuel moisture, temperature, humidity, wind and ventilation.

The ignition of all prescribed fires is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, favorable weather, conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible and California Air Resources Board approval.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 27.

The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum in Lower Lake.

There will be the election of officers, a short order of business, a review of the annual report, and a discussion of ideas for the future of the schoolhouse museum.

A light lunch will be served.

Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee members and the public are cordially invited.

The museum is located at 16435 Main St.

For more information, call the museum at 707-995-3565.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Historical Society is inviting the community to attend its annual summer picnic and pot luck barbecue on Sunday, June 18.

The event will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the historic Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum in Kelseyville, located at 9921 Soda Bay Road (between Kit's Corner and Clear Lake Riviera).

The special guest speaker will be Jose "Moke" Simon, the new county supervisor for District 1.

Simon is a very entertaining and dynamic speaker, whose knowledge of Lake County history will be shared from his own unique perspective.

The event is open to the public. The cost is $5 per adult, with children under 18 able to attend for free.

The historical society will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns and beverages. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish, salad or dessert, but it is not required. As a warm day is expected, cold dishes should be iced. To insure seating, bringing a chair is suggested.

The Lake County Historical Society is one of Lake County's largest community organizations and is dedicated to the preservation, interpretation and dissemination of all things related to the history of Lake County.

In conjunction with the county of Lake, the Lake County Historical Society is responsible for the operation, management and development of the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum.

Membership is $15 per year, or $20 for a family, and people can sign up at the picnic or go online to www.LakeCountyHistory.org .

For more information, contact Bonnie Skee at 707-262-1432 or Jackie Ridgel at 707-279-4062.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – At the Friends of the Lake County Library meeting on May 24, the group received a check for $500 from Westamerica Bank as a corporate gift.

The money will go toward purchasing beginning readers for children.

The donation was made in a timely manner as the library begins its Summer Reading Program.

Children may sign up at the Lakeport, Upper Lake, Redbud or Middletown branches. Teens and adults may enroll online.

Rewards and a party are scheduled for August.

For more information about the Summer Reading Program, please visit http://library.lakecountyca.gov .

For more information about the Friends of the Lake County Library, please visit http://friendsofthelakecountylibrary.org .

Lupita Martinez is secretary of the Friends of the Lake County Library.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Business Association is busy tying up all of the loose ends that will make their Beer, Wine and Swine event on this Father’s Day, June 18, the only place you and Dad will want to be.

Six celebrity chefs will be featured, including Bing Woods of Bing’s Kitchen, Jeremy Zaleb of Park Place, Jerry Phillips of O’Meara Brothers Brewery, Julie Hoskins of Chic le Chef, Matt Young of Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, Rosey Martin of Rosey Cooks.

In addition, the culinary team from Woodland College are perfecting their bacon delicacies and are very excited about bringing the action to downtown Kelseyville. 

Bernie Butcher of the Blue Wing Saloon, Mary and Dave Morse of Kelseyville Appliance, JB Ballesteros and Brian Fisher of Suite on Main, Jack Buell of Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Naomi Key of Steele Wines will be serving up your beer, wine and sodas and keeping things cool behind the bar.

Jim Williams and The Hip Replacements will be rocking the neighborhood and keeping it live for the dancers and a variety of vendors will be on hand for your shopping pleasure.

Tickets are $25 and provide 10 tasting opportunities (you can share with a friend or the children) and a chance to win a Traeger Wood Fired Grill.

Tickets are limited so shopping early is encouraged. Get them online at www.Eventbrite.com , at Kelseyville Lumber or take your chances at the door on the day of the event.

For information call Ron at 707-245-8402.