DUNCANS MILLS, Calif. – Duncans Mills had more than just hundreds of Civil War reenactors  earlier this month for Civil War Days.

Joining them was a large contingent of Lake County event staff volunteers who also were there to help make the event run smoothly as part of a joint effort with Lake County’s Bass Bowl Committee.

“The Civil War Days group was having trouble with getting enough volunteers to run their event, and the Bass Bowl was looking for ways to enhance the Kelseyville-Clear Lake High rivalry football game,” according to Phil Smoley, director of the Bass Bowl. “We agreed to provide event staff for their event, in return for them bringing a Civil War canon to fire at the Bass Bowl. The arrangement worked well last year, and we are going to do it again as Lake County met its goal of 30 man-days at this year’s event.”

Kelseyville head coach Rob Ishihara rallied seven varsity and junior varsity players to help over four days, in addition to one players’ parent, Debbie Hiller. A group from Lake County’s Civil War Roundtable also made the journey to help.

All told, 15 Lake County volunteers participated in the event. Tasks ranged from helping in the snack shack, running the drink booth, trash detail, registration, moving hay bales, crowd control and fence line installation.

Civil War Days event coordinator Alan Ginos was pleased with the help.

“We made more money from the food and drink booth than we ever did. The Lake County folks did a great job,” Ginos said. “We are looking forward to firing our canon at this year’s Bass Bowl. I hope they score more points this year.”  

Last year’s score was Clearlake High, 7; Kelseyville, 3.

The volunteers included Phil Smoley, Steve Stetzer, Alison Herrold and Rob Christian from the Civil War Roundtable; Debbie McKenzie and Sloan Reynolds from Kelseyville; Jim Maglulio from Country Air Commercial and Lake County Chamber of Commerce; Rob Ishihara, head coach and CPS Country Air Properties; CJ Epperson, Eugene Mitchell, Steven Peters, Asa Peters, Devin Dugger, Zach Villalobos and Luis Acosta of the Kelseyville JV and Varsity football teams.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 23) – Many new, novel, entertaining and educational attractions – most of which are free with fair admission – can be found at the 2012 California State Fair, which runs through July 29 at Cal Expo in Sacramento.

Some of the attractions are as follows:                                          
 
Wizard’s Challenge (air-conditioned tent in front of Bldg A) – Explore the magic and wonder of science in a 9,600-square-foot, Medieval-themed, mostly interactive exhibit. Morph your face with someone else’s in the Morphing Mirror. Try to identify mysterious smells in Common Scents. Dare to walk through the Dragon’s Lair. Make beautiful music with the Enchanted Organ. Take on all-comers at the Giant Chess Set. There are 20 activities in all. And don’t miss the Magic of Science stage show with three performances daily. Wizard’s Challenge is “Powered by SMUD.”
 
Sun-Maid – Celebrating 100 Years of Fruit and Sunshine (Expo Center, Bldg 3) – The Kingsburg-based company celebrates 100 years of a thriving enterprise with an exhibit that fills an entire building. Don’t miss the two Norman Rockwell paintings and one chromo lithograph, an interactive display that tells the story of dried-fruit production in California and the history of the iconic Sun-Maid Girl. The Sun-Maid chef cooks up heritage recipes in the Sun-Maid Kitchen.
 
Girl Scouts Zone (Bldg A-B) – Celebrating 100 years of scouting, Girl Scouts Heart of Central California worked with Randy Roberts, deputy director of the Crocker Art Museum, and museum consultant Rachel Tooker to create an interactive exhibit that shows how Girl Scouts discover, connect and take action to make the world a better place.
 
Toytopia 2.0 (Expo Center, Bldg 5) – Sacramento’s Stage Nine Entertainment returns with an interactive exhibit for folks of all ages. Doodle on the world’s largest Etch-a-Sketch and pretend that you live in a giant dollhouse. Build something with Legos and other construction toys. Visit the stuffed animal Toytopia Zoo. Check out model planes, trains and automobiles, and play the day away at a retro game arcade. Also find the Toytopia store inside the exhibit.
 
Birds in Paradise (Floriculture) – Wander deep into the jungle where macaws, Amazon and cockatoos inhabit the “parrot tree.” Marvel at colorful peacocks, along with a charm of finches, a colony of canaries, and kookaburra, amazons, curassow and other “singers.” Experts are on hand to talk about the feathered flock. And look for exotic plants, many of which were propagated and nurtured in the State Fair’s Landscape Yard: vanilla orchid, sugar cane, cocoa, coffee, banana, papaya and pineapple.
 
Wet ‘n’ Wild (Bldg B) – California Department of Water Resources and California Department of Fish and Game team up on a water and wildlife exhibit designed to educate the public about native animals and how water impacts their habitats. See raccoon, bobcat, bald eagle, rattlesnake and amphibians in enclosures similar to their native habitats. Watch educational and entertaining presentations with a beaver, turkey vulture, North American porcupine, desert tortoise and hawk at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
 
“The Flying Marbellos” & Friends (Expo Center, Bldg 7) – Vallejo artist Victor Chaney creates wacky and hypnotic kinetic sculptures, including the circus-themed “The Flying Marbellos” and “H2-Opus,” a musical fountain. See six of his unique works.
 
Guinness World Record attempts – Nick Nicora/Ovations set a world record for the largest cocktail ever made – a 10,500-gallon Margarita called Calarita – on July 13. The second Guinness World Record attempt at the 2012 California State Fair begins at 5:30 a.m. July 23, when Roseville resident Christina Lochmiller boards the Eagle 16 in the Magical Midway to try to beat the current record of 25 hours for the longest continuous ride on a Ferris wheel.
 
My First Ride (Cavalcade of Horses arena) – Little cowboys and cowgirls can saddle up for their first pony ride. The program continues at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on July 24, 27 and 28. At 3 p.m. daily, kids can participate in stick-horse games and pony painting.
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On the Magical Midway – Butler Amusements amps up the fun with new attractions, including High Fly’n Zip Line, White Water Log Flume, Mega Drop Tower and Circle of Champions. The Zillerator Coaster makes its return to the 2012 State Fair.
 
Gran Jaripeo con Ezequiel Pena y Mucho Mas – The action includes bull-riding, renowned Mexican entertainer Ezequiel Pena on horseback, a performance by Banda Muchos, a dance and much more. (4-10 p.m. July 29, Horse Show and Rodeo Arena)
 
In addition, California’s Grape & Gourmet returns to Cal Expo on Aug. 18. Tickets are on sale now at www.bigfun.org and www.calexpo.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Konocti Fiddle Club will perform at Library Park in Lakeport for the Lake County Library's story time in the park on Friday, Aug. 10, at 10:15 a.m.

Toe-tapping music will flood the park when Konocti Fiddle Club members unleash their instruments in this free program for all ages.

Story time meets at the corner of Park and First streets. Come early – Konocti Fiddle Club is popular with the library crowd.

For more information about the library's programs for children, contact Barbara Green at 707-263-8817, Extension 17102.

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m.

The phone number is 707-263-8817. The library is on the Internet at http://library.co.lake.ca.us and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .

NICE, Calif. – Featherbed Railroad will open up its grounds for its next “Tea, Trains & Talent” on Sunday, July 29.

The event takes place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Featherbed Railroad, 2870 Lakeshore Blvd., Nice.

There is no charge to come stroll through the grounds and see the work of local artists, including paintings, sculptures and other works.

There also will be live music on hand to set the mood. Those who wish to can RSVP for an afternoon tea featuring sweet and savory treats and teas to perfectly match these scrumptious treats.

The price for the tea is just $12 inclusive and will set the perfect tone for an afternoon of art, music and relaxation under the trees.

The last “Tea, Trains and Talent” for the summer is set for Aug. 26.

For more information call 707-274-8378.

Visit Featherbed Railroad online at http://www.featherbedrailroad.com/ .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Republican Women, Federated will meet at 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, at Clear Lake Riviera Community Association, 9689 Highway 281, Kelseyville.

Members and guests will view “Agenda: Grinding Down America.”

This award-winning 90-minute film shows how the progressive movement with it socialistic roots tirelessly works to tear down the foundations of America, from the family to free enterprise to education to culture to morality.

Idaho legislator Curtis Bowers, recognizing the drastic changes in America’s culture, wrote a letter to the editor. His letter became a feature story on the evening news, people protested at the state capitol and for weeks the local newspapers were filled with responses.

He had struck a core issue with the American people. After two-years of research, Bowers produced this award-winning film.

Join Lake County Republican Women, Federated for a fascinating look at the people and groups that have successfully targeted America’s morality and freedom in their effort to grind America down.

The Lake County Republican Women, Federated board will provide the lunch, served at noon. Cost for lunch and viewing the film is $23 ($5 only to view the film).

All proceeds from the event will go to Iraq Star Foundation. Founded in 2008 by Maggie Lockridge, Rancho Mirage, Calif., it provides free reconstructive surgery to U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The mission of the nonprofit organization is to prevent war from disfiguring young lives. Lake County Republican Women, Federated has been supporting this foundation for several years.

Meetings are open to the public.

To make reservations, e-mail Mary Broaddus at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 739-7068.

For more information about Lake County Republican Women, Federated events and interests, go to www.LakeCountyRWF.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Amateur Radio Society will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26.

The group will meet at DJ’s Pizza on Main Street in Lower Lake.

All members of the public are welcome.

Amateur radio is a fun family hobby that also helps protect the community in times of emergencies and natural disasters.