MIDDLETOWN – Live standup professional comedy in Lake County continues to enjoy its recent revival and Twin Pine Casino in Middletown is the center of attention this summer.

Comics from around the country, including such names as Sinbad and “Chicago” Steve Barkley have performed at the “Comedy Corner” in the Manzanita Bar and Grill, located in the newly remodeled Twin Pine Casino and hotel.

The twice-monthly programs include Bay Area comics as well as nationally known touring comedians.

The casino recently announced that they are expanding the program and beginning this week will shift to a more traditional three-person comedic format.

Local comic Marc Yaffee will open the program and host the Thursday, Aug. 13, program that will feature Bay Area comic Candy Churilla.

Shows begin at 7 p.m. and are free.

Rubber-faced Mickey Joseph is the headliner. Joseph has performed in Lake County several times in recent years and is a regular performer in Las Vegas. He also toured with other well-known actors and comics in the stage production of “The Rat Pack,” in which Joseph played Joey Bishop.

Joseph has an amazing ability to mimic other famous – and some infamous – real-life characters as well as some of Hollywood’s most beloved stars. His Sgt. Bilko impersonation brings back memories some thought long forgotten.

Future shows will continue biweekly with the next show scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27, when Christian Reyes will open. Adam Stone will be the feature act with Rick D’Elia in the headliner slot.

Yaffee will return in the headliner's spot Sept. 10 with Dave Bothun as the feature act. A Lake County News article about Marc can be viewed at www.lakeconews.com/content/view/2009/764/ .

A special all-female program is in the works for late September.

More details maybe found on the Twin Pine Web site or by calling 1-800-564-4872.

The fine documentary, “Rethink Afghanistan” – which is being made and released as a series in “real time” – urges you and every other US citizen to think twice, or three times, before we send our money and our family members into that wild and forbidding country. We will screen at least parts one through four.

Robert Greenwald, the respected director of such films as “Iraq for Sale” and “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price” is asking critically important questions about the wisdom of conducting any US military operations at all in Afghanistan. And he's listening to the answers of many experts from Afghanistan itself, and from Pakistan (Afghanistan's deeply unstable and nuclear-armed neighbor).

He's asking expert journalists and those who know the country well. He's asking experts who know exactly how much the citizens of Montgomery, Alabama will pay to bomb people in Afghanistan. He's also gone there repeatedly to film what's happening – and as soon as he has more film and more information, he puts it together and sends it out. That's why it's in “real time.”

This film doesn't look back, with intelligent and informed regret years later, telling us what mistakes were made. This film shows us what's happening right now and says, in essence, do not do it, and here's exactly why.

Already, this documentary has helped retired Cpl. Rick Reyes and other vets testify before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and meet with members of Congress. Reyes served in both Afghanistan and Iraq and told the Committee, “Sending more troops will not make the US safer and will only build more opposition against us. I urge you on behalf of truth and patriotism to consider carefully and Rethink Afghanistan.”

Although this film is not as polished as some, its immediacy and authenticity far outweigh any rough edges. While it is extremely informative, it is also compelling and deeply moving.

The Obama Administration and high-level military commanders pin their hopes on the strategy of “Clear, Hold, Build.” (The same as in Iraq.) But the “collateral damage” (dead women and children) and the realities on the ground are pointing to a bad outcome. In an area where US troops are already engaged, “now there are more people siding with the Taliban than with the (Afghan) government” says an Afghan Human Rights Commissioner. No one has ever tamed Afghanistan, ever.

“Rethink Afghanistan” will be screened, for free as always, at the Clearlake United Methodist Church at 14521 Pearl Ave. in Clearlake on Aug. 9.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for socializing and snack and seat-grabbing The film starts at 6 p.m. We hope to see you there! Call 707-279-2957 for more information.

Carolyn Wing Greenlee and her faithful guide dog, Hedy. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – Former Lake County Poet-Laureate, writer and publisher Carolyn Wing Greenlee and her dog, Hedy, will be the featured guests at a book signing to benefit the Lake County Arts Council.

The Lake County Arts Center will present the special book signing reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Greenlee will sign copies of her delightful, poignant and informative new book, “A Gift of Dogs,” which features 12 stories of blindness guide dogs written by Greenlee, with help from Hedy.

A writer and publisher, Greenlee has had problems with her vision since childhood, and was pronounced legally blind in 1985.

Because of her long membership and participation in the Lake County Arts Council, Greenlee wants to give back to the Arts Council, which will receive a donation for every book sold.

Her presentation is entitled "Lessons from Hedy: Things I Learned from a Hard-headed Guide Dog."

Come support your local arts council and and meet Carolyn Greenlee and Hedy at the reception.

There will be good food, good company, a good book and a memorable experience in witnessing the phenomenal relationship between a guide dog and her handler.

The Lake County Arts Council, 325 N. Main St.

For more information, call the Lake County Arts Council at 707-263-6658.

The Golden Follies will perform Aug. 8 and Aug. 9, 2009. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – Expect your toes to be tapping as you enjoy the highly energetic Golden Follies as they present a brand new show, "Thanks for the Memory" at the Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

The shows will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, with a 2 p.m. matinée on Sunday, Aug. 9.

This dazzling dance review will open with music from the 1950s and move to a "Salute to the Ladies," with one number, "Big Blonde and Beautiful" from Hairspray, featuring our very own Ladies of the Lake.

Special memories come with Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain" and medleys of song and dance with Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis and many more musical greats.

This troupe of 20 women and one man under the tutelage of Diane Trembley-Stawicki and her sister Susan Boswick are donating their time and talent and traveling to Lake County for their second appearance to benefit the Lake County Arts Council.

This very talented group of dancers has preformed in various venues throughout the Bay Area including a performance with the East Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $20 for reserved seating. Reserved seating is available at the Soper-Reese box office from 12-5 P.M or by calling 263-0577.

General admission is available at the Main Street Gallery, 707-263-6658; Catfish Books, 707-263-4454; and Wild About Books, 707-994-9453.

The Soper-Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St.

Fans will be able to see and hear him perform in a number of venues in Lake County and behind.

Below is a list of dates, times and locations.

• Friday, Aug. 7 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 800-660-LAKE.

• Saturday, Aug. 8 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Note time change.) 800-660-LAKE.

• Thursday, Aug. 13 – with Bill Noteman & the Rockets, KRSH “Backyard Evening Concert” (call David Neft for details).

• Friday, Aug. 14 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 800-660-LAKE.

• Saturday, Aug. 15 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 800-660-LAKE.

• Sunday, Aug. 16 – Calistoga Inn, brunch on the patio, noon to 3 p.m. 707-942-4101.

• Friday, Aug. 21 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 800-660-LAKE.

• Saturday, Aug 22 – No gig at Konocti. Appearing with Bill Noteman & the Rockets, Moore Family Winery, Summer Concert Series, Bottle Rock Road, Cobb, 6 p.m.

• Sunday, Aug. 23 – Calistoga Inn, brunch on the patio, noon to 3 p.m. 707-942-4101.

• Friday, Aug. 28 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool.” Special schedule for – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., break, then 10 p.m. to midnight (this is due to outdoor concert in amphitheater). 800-660-LAKE.

• Saturday, Aug, 29 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 800-660-LAKE.

• September Preview, Labor Day Weekend – special additional gigs: Thursday, Sept. 3, Lake County Fair, gazebo near entrance gate, Lakeport, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm.

• Friday, Sept. 4 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 800-660-LAKE.

• Saturday, Sept. 5 – with Bill Noteman & the Rockets, Lake County Fair, main stage, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 5 – Konocti Harbor, “The New Cool,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 800-660-LAKE.

Please call Neft at 707-987-4290 for more detailed info on any of the venues above and for late changes or additions to his busy gig schedule.