LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Calpine has announced its 2016 community tour schedule for The Geysers.

To sign up for a free tour, contact Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center at 707-987-4270 or visit www.geysers.com .

The list of dates is featured below.

Saturday, April 30
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
From Windsor

Friday, June 3
Noon to 3 p.m.
From Cloverdale

Saturday, June 18
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.       
Departing from Geyserville

Friday, July 22
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Middletown

Friday, Aug. 19
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Santa Rosa

Saturday, Sept. 10
Noon to 3 p.m.
Departing from Cloverdale

Friday, Sept. 30
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Middletown

Friday, Oct. 7
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Geyserville

Saturday, Nov. 5
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departing from Middletown

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Avenue of the Flags is having a spaghetti and lasagna feed dinner and silent auction from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11, at the Bachelor Valley Grange hall on Government Street.

Vegetarian lasagna will be available. The menu will include spaghetti, lasagna, salad, garlic bread, coffee, tea or soft drink and dessert, all for a suggested donation of $10.

Tickets can be purchased at the door. For presale tickets call 707-275-9515.

The Avenue of the Flags is an organization that was formed to preserve and honor the memory of Lake County veterans.

Twice a year on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day dedicated individuals and groups from various Lake County communities come together and fly more than 1,500 flags at four cemeteries: Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport, Upper Lake Cemetery, Kelseyville Cemetery and Lower Lake Cemetery.

These flags once draped the caskets of fallen veterans and have been donated to the Avenue of the Flags by the veteran’s family.

The sight of the rows of flags flying is both inspiring and breathtaking. The Avenue of Flags is a patriotic feature at the cemeteries that reinforce patriotism, national pride and represent a visible, bold and proud display of the flags.

Help us honor our Lake County veterans by supporting the Avenue of the Flags.

If you would like to make a donation send it to the Avenue of the Flags, P.O. Box 980, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – March is a very special time of year at Six Sigma Ranch, as the winery team gathers to welcome professional and amateur pruning contestants battling it out at the annual Pruning and Pastries event.

Spectators will witness a crew of professional grapevine pruners swiftly flying through rows of grapevines, the sound of clippers echoing in the still of the morning.

It’s an incredible display of skill, concentration and sheer energy.

Six Sigma invites attendees to come brush up on techniques for pruning that backyard vineyard, and get to know some of the people behind Lake County’s award-winning wines.

Join the Six Sigma Ranch team on Saturday, March 5, for the ninth annual Pruning and Pastries.

The two-hour event will begin at 10 a.m. just inside the Six Sigma Ranch gate on Spruce Grove Road.

First, the professional pruning competition will challenge top pruners, who will be judged based on speed and accuracy.

Then, attendees can participate in a hands-on demo of winter pruning techniques in preparation for the amateur pruning competition that follows.

Professional judges will determine the winners. Prizes will be awarded.

Come give it a try. Bring friends. Watch the pros. Coffee and tea will be served, together with pastries presented by Yuba College Advanced Baking Class. 

Bring your vineyard pruning questions and dress for the weather.

Space is limited; reserve your spot by calling 707-994-4068 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Six Sigma Ranch & Winery is located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The 13th annual Housing Task Force dinner will be held on Saturday, March 5.

The dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St.

On the menu is melt-in-your-mouth brisket.

There also will be a homemade dessert auction and a silent auction during dinner.

The cost is $12.50 for adults, $8 for children under 10.

All proceeds will be distributed back to the community.

Nonperishable food items also will be accepted for the Kelseyville Food Pantry during the evening event.

Tickets are available at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 707-279-1104.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Methodist Thrift Shop will sell everything inside the shop for $0.25 cents per item on Monday, Feb. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“This is our first special sale in 2016 and our customers appreciate these periodic twenty five cent sales,” said Thrift Shop contact Dorothy Braun. “We have many unique items and basic clothing for women, men and children and we are happy to serve our community.”

The Kelseyville Methodist Thrift Shop has been in the community since 1962 and gratefully accepts donations on Monday and Wednesday mornings.

The shop is located at 5250 First St. off Main Street behind the United Methodist Sanctuary.

Please note that the items displayed outdoors are not part of the Feb. 29 sale.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With taxes due at midnight on April 18, Assemblyman Bill Dodd (D-Napa) would like to reminded residents that assistance is available for those having difficulty with their tax returns.

The California Franchise Tax Board sponsors a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and a Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program to help individuals complete their income tax returns. These programs are supported by local groups, especially the United Way.

“When preparing income tax returns, people often run into problems or become lost in the maze of forms and rules, said Dodd. “I was proud to help create the state’s new Earned Income Tax Credit to help working families, and I want to make sure every eligible person is able to receive the benefit.”

There are VITA and TCE sites throughout the area and many offer special assistance, such as bilingual and/or shut-in services.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a Taxpayer Advocate Service, which provides an independent system to ensure that tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels are handled promptly and fairly.

Each state and each service center has at least one taxpayer advocate who is independent of the local IRS office and reports directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate.

Additionally, millions of federal dollars go unclaimed every year by people and families that don’t apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a benefit for working people who earn low or moderate incomes.

Residents who believe they may qualify are highly encouraged to contact VITA or TCE programs nearest them. 

Below is a list of upcoming workshops in Lake County.

CLEARLAKE

Highlands Senior Center
3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake   
Open: Feb. 1 to April 15       
Appointments: 707-275-2297  
Language Assistance: English only           
Notes: Please bring 2014 tax documents, 2013 tax return, SS Card and Photo ID for each person on the return. For joint returns, please bring your spouse.

LAKEPORT

Lakeport Senior Center
527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport   
Open: Feb. 1 to April 15        
Appointments: 707-263-4218  
Language Assistance: English only           
Notes: Please bring 2014 tax documents 2013 tax return, SS Card and Photo ID for each person on the return. For joint returns, please bring your spouse.
 
Dodd represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Solano and Colusa counties. You can learn more about Assemblymember Dodd and the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .