NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Have you ever wondered how people decide if a plant they’ve found is a new species? Have you ever wanted to learn to identify plants in your area?

If the answer is yes, then come to hear Dr. Ellen Dean speak on “What is a Plant Taxonomist?,” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch of the Yolo County Library.

The talk is part of Tuleyome’s “Nature and You”: Thursday Talks at the Library lecture series that seeks to encourage young women to enter STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields.

The series is featuring female speakers, “women in science,” who can speak on topics surrounding nature, earth science, ecology and in this case, botany! Each lecture will be given in easy-to-understand language.

Dr. Dean, curator for the UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity herbarium, will speak about her twisty road to becoming a plant taxonomist, her field work during her graduate years, her passion for the genus Lycianthes, and her current job duties, including field work in remote locations.

The Davis Branch Library is located at 315 E. 14th St.

Although not absolutely necessary, Tuleyome encourages those who wish to attend to visit their Web site to register ( www.tuleyome.org ) or contact Mary Hanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , phone 530-350-2599.

Tuleyome is a nonprofit conservation organization based in Woodland. For more information go to www.tuleyome.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Christian Center will host its annual Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Fall Fest takes place from noon to 3 p.m. at the church, 455 S. Forbes St., just around the corner from the Lake County Fairgrounds.

There will be fun for the whole family, including games, jumpy house, face painting, cookie decorating, lemonade stand, music, barbecue and more.

Friendly costumes are welcome.

Every child that registers at Fall Fest will have their name placed in a drawing for a brand new radio-operated model airplane.

The drawing winner will be announced at 2:30 p.m. at Fall Fest.

Donations of canned and nonperishable food items for the church's Thanksgiving outreach will be welcomed but are not required.

If you are unable to attend Fall Fest and would like to enter the drawing, contact the church office at 707-263-4514 for details.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust’s 2014 Annual Dinner – held at The Lodge at Blue Lakes on Saturday, Oct. 11 – was a huge success with more than 100 people attending.

Participants enjoyed bidding on fabulous silent auction items and were treated to an excellent dinner provided by The Lodge at Blue Lakes – a beautiful venue for a “nature oriented” event like the Land Trust dinner.

This annual fundraiser also commemorated the Land Trust’s 20th anniversary; the organization, a non-profit 501 c (3), was founded in 1994.

Traveling all the way from Gilroy, the founder of Coastal Habitat Education and Environment Restoration (CHEER), Herman Garcia, provided an entertaining talk about his work with watershed restoration in the Pajaro River watershed.

Jon Ambrose, president of the Lake County Land Trust, discussed the trust’s accomplishments over the last year and noted the Land Trust’s progress in purchasing acreage on the shores of Clear Lake in the Big Valley area.

This area features some of the last remaining tule marsh and wetland habitat on the shores of Clear Lake.

Every year the Land Trust names its “Supporters of the Year.”

This year John and Cheyanne Parker were honored for the pro-bono archaeological work they do for the Land Trust.

Dr. John Parker is a professional archaeologist and with Cheyanne’s help has created several archaeological studies for Land Trust properties.

The studies have been incorporated into the management plans for the properties owned and operated by the Land Trust, including Rabbit Hill and the Rodman Preserve. 

The couple also hosts educational programs for both children and adults at the Land Trust’s Rodman Preserve Nature Education Center.

The event was held in the mid-afternoon and those arriving enjoyed the sound of the band Deez Guise, made up of Tom Nixon, Doug Harris, Sissa Harris, Henry Bornstein and Bill Bordisso.

Peter and Maryann Schmid, owners of The Lodge at Blue Lakes were excellent hosts, providing a delicious dinner and surprising all with an apple crepe with chocolate sauce for dessert – a perfect way to top off the evening.

The Lake County Land Trust holds this annual fundraising dinner on the second Saturday of October. 

The tradition was started in 1999 after the successful purchase of the Trust’s Rodman Ranch and Slough (now the Rodman Preserve) property.

For more information about the Lake County Land Trust, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org , call 707-262-0707 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 of Lake County will participate in the Heroes of Health & Safety Fair on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

The flotilla's booth will distribute boating safety information, with flotilla members interacting with the public to promote recreational boating safety. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector from Humboldt Bay Station is expected to participate with a helicopter static display on site.

The flotilla has a limited supply of free life jackets available for youngsters 12 years old and under.

Parents must accompany the children and complete the necessary information forms.

The children will be weighed and fitted by a member of the flotilla and both children and parents will be instructed on the proper wearing of the life jackets. 

Due to the safety fair, Flotilla 88 will hold it monthly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 9:30 a.m. at the Konocti Bay Sailing Club building, located at Braito's Marina, 1555 Eastlake Drive, Buckingham Peninsula in Kelseyville. 

LUCERNE, Calif. – The next general meeting of Lucerne Friends for Locally Owned Water – or FLOW – will be held Saturday, Oct. 18.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Rose Room at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.

Topics will include elections of officers and the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water meeting.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A Lower Lake family is seeking the community's assistance in finding a missing hound.

Lacy the Walker Tree Hound ran away from home Sunday night.

She was last seen at her Morgan Valley Road home near Lower Lake.

She's 4 to 5 years old and is spayed. She's sweet but can be shy around men.

A cash reward is being offered for her return.

If you see her please call Brittny or Trevor Sutton at 707-350-1188.