MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A rummage sale will be held at the Middletown Senior Center on Saturday, July 13.

The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New and used art, artifacts and art supplies will be offered at great prices.

The Middletown Senior Center is located at 21256 Washington St.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The fourth annual Six Sigma Cowboy Cook-off was another memorable event for Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.   

The Cowboy Cook-off is a cooking competition held each year the July 4 weekend between members of the Six Sigma Winery team.  

All guests can vote for their favorite cook and dish while sipping on what Six Sigma is known for – the award-winning Six Sigma Ranch wines.  

This year the cooks were Christian Ahlmann, vice president of Six Sigma, who created smoked pork ribs; Walt Campbell, direct to trade manager, who made a turkey chili made from wild turkey from the ranch; and winemaker Matt Hughes and his wife Nancy, who made a delicious gumbo.  

Alma Galvan, who helps the team with hospitality, decided to challenge the team this year with her homemade salsa that definitely wowed the crowd.  

Although the votes were extremely close, Matt Hughes was crowned the 2013 champion although he was very reluctant to accept the award alone.

When he gave his acceptance speech he said, “the true champion is my wife, Nancy. I want to give credit to the real winner – my beautiful and obviously talented wife.”

The grounds were filled to capacity as many enthusiastic guests arrived in festive cowboy and cowgirl costumes.  

The winners of the costume contest received gift certificates for Pinzgauer tours of the 4,300-acre ranch.  

This is a unique opportunity to experience a part of the ranch and see the highest altitude vineyard on the property, the Diamond Mine Vineyard.

It felt like a step back in time, watching cowboys and cowgirls surround the historic old stagecoach stop that doubles as the Six Sigma Ranch tasting room.  

The large, ancient oak trees shaded the guests as they mingled, sipped, and savored the cooks’ creations while listening to original country soul music of Michael Barrish.

Kaj and Else Ahlmann, proprietors of Six Sigma Ranch, were particularly pleased with the cook-off.

“We were happy to see so many friends enjoy the place we call home,” said Else Ahlmann. “The event went very smoothly, and we are grateful for our hard-working team and all the friends who step in and give us a hand with events like this.”  

Six Sigma Winery at 13372 Spruce Grove Road is open for tasting every day at 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – When the Kelseyville High School varsity football team walks onto the Clear Lake High Schools home field on Oct. 25 for Bass Bowl IV, it will encounter more than just the Clear Lake football team; they will be looking down the barrel of a Civil War cannon.

The Bass Bowl Committee has announced a cooperative effort with the California Historical Artillery Society (CHAS) to bring Civil War living history to Lake County the week of the Bass Bowl.

“We wanted to have a Civil War cannon at the Bass Bowl to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War and of the founding of Lake County,” Bass Bowl executive director Phil Smoley explained.

“They needed additional event staff at their upcoming Civil War Reenactment in Duncans Mills,” said Smoley. “So we negotiated a ‘win-win’ deal where they will be getting extra staff help from Lake County for their ‘Civil War Days’ and they will bring an artillery team for the Bass Bowl to fire after each touchdown, and then do living history demonstrations the next day.”

On July 20 and 21, the quaint north coast town of Duncans Mills will become the fields of Virginia circa 1863.

“Civil War Days” is one of the largest reenactments west of the Mississippi. The event will give visitors the opportunity to interact with the soldiers and civilians of the Civil War and witness the camps of the Union and Confederacy.

Visitors will see how civilians lived and served with the armies of 1863, in what was referred to as the first "modern war." This will be an event that will not only serve as an educational experience, but an unforgettable trip that will delight audiences of all ages.

The Bass Bowl Committee committed to providing 30 “man-days,” or an average of 10 workers for each of the three days the CHAS needs help.

“Friday, the 19th, is the set up day, and then the next two days will be the actual event,” according to Smoley. “They need staff to help with setting up, parking, collecting entrance fees, hauling off garbage, bringing hay and water to the horses, and other needs. There will be plenty of time for event staff to enjoy the event and watch the battles. It’s light work, and it will be rewarding, educational, and it will be helping with Lake County athletics. We need volunteers to fulfill our part of the bargain. Ideally, we want to have local students help out.”

The “Civil War Days” event is just minutes from the ocean, along the Russian River. “The location is beautifully forested, with lots of hiking trails,” Smoley said. “We can use all the help we can get. It is the perfect opportunity for a family to volunteer to help while learning about history, besides making this year's Bass Bowl all the more memorable.

Volunteers and event staff will be camping next to the event grounds. To volunteer to assist in this event, contact Phil Smoley at 707-264-4905 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Branch 168 of the Sons In Retirement will hold its next meeting on Friday, July 12.

The group meets at Konocti Vista Casino, 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport.

This month's guest will be Sheriff Frank Rivero.

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 Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee, at 707-263-3403 or to visit www.sirinc.org .       

NICE, Calif. – Come enjoy a dinner prepared by Deb and Duane Clarke, celebrating 10 years at the Sons of Italy Lodge No. 2537 on Saturday, July 13.

The dinner and dance will open with a no host bar at 5 p.m.; dinner will be served at 6 p.m. to be followed by dancing.

They are preparing red (meat), white (Alfredo) and green (pesto) pastas, meatballs, salad, dessert, coffee or tea followed by dance music.  

It will cost just $15 for everything, including a door prize.

Tickets will be sold at the door but please call 707-274-9952 for reservations of more than four.

There will be raffle tickets sold and a door prize, too; it will be both 50/50 and prizes.

This is a fundraiser for the club, as well as a membership drive.

Bring a friend, everyone is welcome.

The lodge is located at 2817 E. Highway 20, telephone 707-274-2244.

NICE, Calif. – The Upper Lake High School football team will hold a car wash on Saturday, July 13.

The fundraiser will be held at Sentry Market in Nice from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Donations will be gladly accepted.