Tickets are now on sale for the annual Renaissance Christmas Pageant and Feast. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN – Tickets for the 15th Annual 2008 Renaissance Christmas Pageant and Feast in December are now on sale.

Performances will begin on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m., with a special “Family Night” free show for children and elders.

A low-cost ($15) sneak preview with “tasty morsels” will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

Regular full-feast shows will beheld Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m., and Sunday afternoons, Dec. 7 and 14 at 3 p.m. Performances include a three-course sit-down dinner around which a lively costume drama unfolds.

This year's story is based on the historic conflict between Queen Elizabeth and her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. When Mary heads home from France, and shipwrecks on English soil, Elizabeth thinks she is after the crown of England! Treachery abounds, but all's well that ends well!

Gorgeous costumes and sets and delicious food make this a sparkling holiday entertainment, with over 16 traditional and Renaissance Christmas songs, dances, games and entertainments. The audience is part of this theater-in-the-round experience, and costumes are encouraged (but not required).

The setting is the lavishly-decorated stone and stained-glass sanctuary of Middletown's historic Pioneer Church, which was dedicated in 1893. The event is produced by the Middletown Community United Methodist Church, but actors, singers and volunteers of all ages and faiths come from throughout the

community, and from other churches, to participate in this production, which has become a local tradition.

Tickets are pre-sale only and are $45 each; $5 off if bought before Nov. 1, so be sure to get yours early and save! Call Shari at 987-2653 beginning Oct. 1 to reserve your ticket or for local sales sites in

Middletown, Lakeport and Clearlake.

“Greystone Castle” is located at 15388 Armstrong Street between Armstrong and Washington streets in Middletown, one block east of Highway 29.

Pastor Wanda Celli can be reached at the church office at 987-3379.

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The United Nations designates one day a year as World Habitat to focus on eliminating poverty housing. This is a great time to join together with your club, congregation, office, friends and family to help build a new home for Lake County families. Projects include landscaping and installing solar panels as well, so there is something for everyone.

Habitat for Humanity Lake County's World Habitat Day celebration will be held from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. at 3418 14th St. in Clearlake.

The day will kick off with a pancake breakfast ($4 donation requested) and a free lunch for all volunteers. Those interested must sign up by Thursday, Oct. 9, by calling 994-1100 or sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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SB 1629 by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) would develop a ratings system on the quality of early education programs and AB 2759 by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) – and co-authored by North Coast Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) – streamlines funding to expand preschool availability throughout the state.

"Pre-kindergarten education is the first formal step a child takes toward academic success and California's children deserve the highest-quality programs that put them on track to a successful future," said Schwarzenegger. "This legislation will help to ensure early education programs are available to the children who need them most and that the state continues to achieve higher quality child development programs."

SB 1629 establishes the Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee to propose recommendations on how to evaluate and improve the quality of child development programs providing services from birth to age five, including preschool. The bill also establishes a framework for future resources necessary to achieve and maintain higher quality programs.

AB 2759 establishes the California State Preschool Program (CSP), which consolidates all the early childhood education programs in the state. Specifically, CSP streamlines funding which will expand preschool options, increase program availability and reduce administrative costs.

In 2006, Schwarzenegger signed legislation to expand pre-kindergarten to more than 12,000 children living in areas with low performing schools.

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The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. by showcasing the cuisine of many of Lake County’s best restaurants, and the wines of 15 of Lake County’s best wineries. This combination of Lake County’s finest is guaranteed to delight the taste buds of all comers.

The generous sponsorship of Zino’s Ristorante and Inn, The Saw Shop Bistro, Rob Roy Creekside Grill, Blue Wing Saloon and Café, Park Place Restaurant, The Water Color Restaurant, Murphy’s on the Green and Molly Brennan’s makes this fundraising event a gourmét’s delight.

Now, while enjoying good music on the bank of Cole Creek, add the outstanding wines of our winery sponsors Zoom Wines, Wildhurst Vineyards, Tulip Hill Winery, Steele Wines, Six Sigma Wines, Shed Horn Cellars, Shannon Ridge Cellars, Red Lava Vineyards, Ployez Winery, Moore Family Winery, Langtry Estate and Vineyards, Gregory Graham Winery, Cougar’s Leap Winery, Ceago Vinegarden and Brassfield Estate Winery and you truly have a day to remember.

Attendees can participate in the kind of activities that will take place in the future Outdoor Education Pavilion, and will be able to hear supportive guest speakers.

“A Wild Affair in Your Park” theme is “No Child Left Inside” and all funds raised will help to complete and equip the Clear Lake State Park Outdoor Education Pavilion.

For more information about the event or for reservations, call 279-4395.

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The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Mendo Lake Credit Union meeting room, located in the Willow Tree Shopping Center at 963 11th St., Lakeport. The meeting room is wheelchair accessible.

The meeting will provide an overview of the UCCE Master Gardener Program, as well as some of the expectations of being a UC Master Gardener volunteer.

The information will be presented by current Master Gardener volunteers and the Master Gardener Program Advisor, Rachel Elkins.

The program will be followed by a question and answer period. Refreshments will be served.

For more information call the UC Cooperative Extension office, 263-6838.

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The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Redbud Library Community Room, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.

Meetings are open to the public and associate committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

Lake County Democrats have opened a United Democratic Campaign office in Lakeport at 307 N. Main Street. The new phone is 263-4529. Volunteer sign ups are requested.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707.263-4529 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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