UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis – as portrayed by reenactor John Smoley – will be the featured speaker at the next Redwood Empire Civil War Roundtable on Monday, Oct. 7, at 6:15 p.m. at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

The timing of President Davis' visit is appropriate in light of recent talk of secession by several American counties, and even some states.

“Secession is a long-lived American tradition, beginning with our secession from England as laid out in our Declaration of Independence,” according to Phil Smoley, roundtable co-founder. “The Civil War made it less practical for a free people to replace their government with one that they feel is better suited to their needs, but the idea lives on throughout the world. Our Declaration of Independence set the standard in this regard.”

In addition to Mr. Davis, local historian Zane Jensen will review the story of General George Thomas, a Virginia-born officer who, like Robert E. Lee, had to decide between the federal government, and his home state and family.

Thomas chose the federal government, and went on to great success as a general for the Union, though his family never spoke to him again.

The group will discuss dilemma these men faced and how they would choose if faced with a similar choice.

Phil Smoley will conduct a brief review of what was going on throughout the country during October 1863, 150 years ago, as part of the group's efforts to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.

For more information, contact Zane Jensen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Phil Smoley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Club will hold its regular meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.

The meeting will be held in the Russell Rustici Park Club House at Lower Lake Community Park, corner of Mill and Second streets.

Dr. John Parker will speak regarding Lake County historic resources.

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are held on the second Saturday of the month at 11 a.m. at the clubhouse.

The public is always welcome and membership is open to all registered Democrats.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit http://lakecountydemocrats.org/ .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The next meeting of the Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch will take place at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23.

The meeting will take place at the Lake County Agriculture Center, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.

For more information about the group visit http://www.lakelive.info/chicouncil .

UKIAH, Calif. – It’s time to enter your best recipe in the Ukiah Country PumpkinFest bake contest.

The eighth annual “Pumpkin Bake Contest” will be held on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m.

The two categories you can enter are either using pumpkin as the main ingredient or baking with berries.

This year for the first time, the Pumpkin Bake Contest is sponsored by Schat’s Bakery. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded for first through third place in each division.

Entry forms are available at the city of Ukiah, Community Services Department, 411 W. Clay St., or visit www.cityofukiah.com .

Deadline to enter is Thursday, Oct. 17.

There is no entry fee. All ages are welcome.

For more information, call 707-463-6231.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The next HazMobile event will be held Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19, at Kmart, 2019 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge.

Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet), and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

HazMobile services are provided to residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this taxpayer-funded service and first make an appointment.

Business appointments can be made by calling the Mendocino County Solid Waste Authority, the contracted agency that provides this service in Lake County at 707-468-9786.

Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

• Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions on first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.
• Used cooking oil can be dropped-off by businesses and residents, which will be recycled into BioDiesel by Yokayo BioFuels. Drop-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the Northshore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne.
• Used motor oil can be dropped-off by residents for recycling year round at a number of sites in the county. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for locations.
• Electronics (E-waste) can be dropped-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and monthly at the Goodwill E-Waste collection held in Lakeport.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com 

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis Street, Clearlake
Open daily 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com 

The HazMobile program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County residents.

For more information about recycling, reusing, and reducing, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon will be held in San Rafael on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6.

The free event, which organizers say will feature the most adoptable pets ever in one spot, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, in San Rafael.

The Bay Area Pet Fair and Adoptathon will have more than 1,000 puppies, dogs, kittens, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, roosters and more available for adoption.

Lake County Animal Services is taking lots of orphans from the Orphan Dog Ranch, including tiny little Apollo; brothers Duck and Loon, two very calm and loving little doxie mixes; Jenna, a German Shepard mix; and Teddy, a Pekinese pug.

In addition to the LCAS Orphan Dogs, nearly every Northern California pet adoption and rescue organization will be there with pets that need forever homes. Some of these pets have been in the shelter for months.

The goal is for 600 pets to get a new home (last year they adopted 544 pets over the weekend).

For every pet adopted, $50 will be donated to the adopting group and each adopting family will get a $25 Pet Food Express gift card.

In addition to adoptions, there are all kinds of activities/entertainment for people and their pets, including Tillman the skateboarding bulldog; Splash Dogs will offer a dog dock-diving where the public’s dogs can jump in, compete and get wet; Bay Area police K-9 teams demos; dozens of pet treat, food, apparel and accessory vendors will have great giveaways; kids area with face painting, balloons and more; and live music with KFOG.

Bring a dog, cat or critter on a leash, please.

Visit www.bayareapetfair.org for more information.

For more information about Lake County Animal Services, visit http://www.lakecountyanimalservices.org/ .