The commission supports programs serving expectant mothers and children ages birth to 5.

The four main goals of the commission are increased access to quality, developmentally appropriate childcare which meets the economic, cultural and developmental needs of all children and families of Lake County; increased access to parent education and support services to meet the diverse needs of Lake County parents; improved access to health and therapeutic services for the children and families of Lake County; and improved parent access to services and programs which will increase their opportunity to sustain and support the full and healthy growth and development of their children.

An overarching goal of the commission is school readiness.

Funding for these efforts totals more than $500,000 each year and comes via revenues from Proposition 10, which is the tobacco tax that was passed by the voters in 1998.

The Lake County Commission is recruiting to fill one vacancy. The commission is comprised of nine members, four of which are mandated and the remaining five are generally categorized to represent a cross-section of countywide individuals who have demonstrated experience and an interest in the four main goals areas as defined above.

Interested applicants must be prepared to volunteer their time preparing for and attending monthly meetings, participating in occasional regional and state meetings and conferences, and actively representing the commission of Lake County.

All interested candidates are invited to request an application by contacting the commission at 263-6169, or you can stop by the commission office, located in the Lake County Career Center, 55 First Street, Suite 222 (second floor), in Lakeport.

Further background information on the First 5 Commissions may be found by visiting the First 5 California Web site at http://ccfc.ca.gov or the First 5 Association’s Web site at http://f5ac.org.

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Join your neighbors for an informative afternoon of watershed assessment planning.

The stewardship has begun a three-year effort to do a comprehensive assessment of the watershed. To date, a Technical Advisory Committee has assessed a recent study to determine its overall coverage and have added some items that needed to be included the assessment.

The community's participation and input is needed to make sure that this study covers the concerns of all the people in the watershed.

Stewardship members will explain what a watershed assessment is and isn’t. They will tell community members what items they plan to include in the study. Participants also will learn why they are included.

Residents will be asked to voice opinions about the study and they will be given the opportunity to add their areas of concern to the assessment. If ideas are accepted they will become part of the assessment. This information will be compiled and published under the heading of ideas generated by the “Citizens Advisory Group.” Be assured all ideas will be given proper consideration.

Please attend this important meeting if you can, tell your neighbors, everyone is welcome. You can also get more information by calling Chris Simon at 707-987-1109 or Dwight Holford at 707-987-0663 or visit the group's new Web site at www.upperputahcreek.org.

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LAKEPORT – The teams and volunteers of the Lake County American Cancer Society Relay For Life raised close to $50,000 which can still grow with donations submitted until the end of August.

The top five teams in fundraising are The Quick Steppers, raising over $7,500, Sutter's Angels Of Hope and Mom's For the Cause tied with over $4,000 each, Envision A Cure with over $3,500 and Wishing Upon A Star with over $2,500.

The 24-hour event had many opportunities to contribute with on-site fundraisers such as silent auctions, a water slippy slide, massages and goods for sale ... Popsicles and water guns being the most popular on a hot day. A Middletown Teen Team was quite innovative with their rickshaw pulling passengers around the track for $1 a lap.

An incentive for on-site fund raising was the Immunity Necklace earned by the team raising the most money that day. The winning team, The Quick Steppers, was immune from walking laps between midnight and 6 a.m.

Continuous entertainment by local musicians, dancers, vocalists, impersonators and a magician went on throughout the day, evening and Sunday morning. Chris Buehnerkemper and his Teen Teams kept the kids busy through the night in the Kid's Zone with DDR, games and music.

Theme Laps and Karaoke Contests were an added attraction. Prizes for winners were donated by local businesses, Konocti Resort and Spa, Lakeport Cinema, The Healing Earth, Danielle from Dream Beauty Store and Salon, Valentino's, Main Street Pizza, Bigg's 155 Diner, Jack's Gaslight and Cafe Victoria.

This year's event was a total success from the Opening "Celebration" Ceremonies on Saturday morning, the moving Luminaria "Remembrance" Ceremony Saturday evening to the Closing "Fight Back" Ceremony Sunday morning; an enjoyable, meaningful and entertaining experience for all who participated or attended.

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The city of Lakeport hosts its Independence Day fireworks show following a lighted boat parade. Other fireworks shows include the city of Clearlake fireworks display, the annual Maxine Sherman Memorial Fireworks show in Clearlake Oaks, the Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa fireworks display that follows a concert, and more.

The following is a sampling of fireworks shows and festivals. For a complete listing, call the Lake County Visitor Information Center at 800-525-3743.

Lakeport Independence Day Festivities, Lakeport

Friday, July 4

An all-day street fair featuring vendors selling arts and crafts, food, and beverages. The night ends with a lighted boat parade around 9 p.m. followed by fireworks. Sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association and the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce. Library Park, between First and Third streets. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. Admission is free. 707-263-5092, www.lakeportchamber.com.

Fireworks Cruise, Clear Lake

Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5

Watch the fireworks from the decks of the Clear Lake Queen while feasting on barbecued chicken. On Friday, cruise up to Lakeport, on Saturday, cruise down to Clearlake. Board at the Ferndale Resort, 6190 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville. Admission for each cruise is $55 per person; children 11 years old and younger are half price. Reservations required. 707-994-5432, www.paddlewheel.com.

City of Clearlake Independence Day Festivities, Clearlake

Saturday, July 5

Street fair, kinetic sculpture racing, live music, car show, arts and crafts, barbecue, children's activities, and more. Sponsored by the Lakeshore Lions Club and the City of Clearlake. Parade kicks off event at 11:00 a.m. from Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, to Austin Park, 14077 Lakeshore Drive, where festivities will be held. Fireworks over Clear Lake follow event at dusk. Admission is free. 707-994-3600, 707-994-3070.

Clearlake International Worm Races, Clearlake

Saturday, July 5

Thirty-eighth-annual worm race competition with competitors ranging from children to senators and congressmen. This internationally recognized event has attracted the attention of Animal Planet, NBC, and Bay Area Backroads. Held in conjunction with the City of Clearlake Independence Day Festivities and sponsored by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. Austin Park, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. 707-994-3600.

Tulip Hill Winery's Red, White and Blush Wine and Food Pairing, Nice

Saturday, July 5

Sample savory summer fare paired to perfection with select Tulip Hill wines perfect for summer sipping. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., $5 for the general public; complimentary to Wine Club members. For more information call 707-274-9373.

Tulip Hill Winery's Third Concert in the Gardens, Nice

Saturday, July 5

Immediately following the Red, White and Blush Wine and Food Pairing, the third Concerts in the Gardens series will begin featuring David Neft on piano. Bring a picnic, lounge on the lawn and dance the evening away! 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., $10 for the general public; complimentary to Wine Club members. For more information call 707-274-9373.

For visitor information, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at 800-525-3743 or www.lakecounty.com.

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In the photo above, Candidate Mike Stempe of Upper Lake and his Campaign Manager Donna Herndon are shown in their Hoedown garb at the recent Wild West Days parade in Upper Lake. Stempe is wearing the sombrero. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – Several candidates are vying for the privilege of Kissing A Pig at the upcoming Hoedown Showdown.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 28 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Candidates this year include Armand Pauly of Polestar Computers who has challenged Kenny Parlet of Lakeview Market. The challenge is that the one who gets the least votes between them, will have to shave their head. Given that both of these gentlemen have “movie star” locks, it's a hotly contested race which neither wants to lose!

Other candidates are Mike Stempe of Upper Lake, Clear Lake Chamber Executive Director Lori Peters, Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton, attorney Barry Parkinson, Karen Karnatz of Arbor House Bed and Breakfast, Lakeport Police Chief Kevin Burke, Joey Luiz of Shannon Ridge Winery and Victoria Young of Jones Mortuary.

Vote for your favorite candidate; it costs $1 per vote.

Sponsorships are available from $50 to $500 and you can designate which candidate receives credit for your sponsorship.

Hoedown Showdown will be fun for all ages, states Parlet, president of the Lakeport Regional Chamber, with pig races, coloring walls, dunk tank, Sumo wrestling games, inflatable jumping games, Oops Ranch Petting Zoo tethered balloon rides ($3) in the ReMax Balloon, wine tasting, Miss Piggy Lookalike Contest ($100 prize), Mom's Apple Pie Baking Contest ($100 prize) and Hog Calling Contest ($100 prize).

Jim Williams and Ranch House will be playing during Hoedown Showdown, so dancing could be in your future when you arrive!

Dinner tickets for adults are $15, children 7 to 12 years are $7 and for a $5 donation, you can obtain a chance to win 250 scratchers (need not be present to win).

Contact the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce at 263-5092 for dinner or scratcher tickets or for more information. You don't want to miss seeing who “wins” the contest to Kiss A Pig, yes a real, live pig!

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The class, which welcomes both beginners and experienced woodworkers, will run June 23 through July 28 on Monday evenings, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon.

Clear Lake High School's wood shop instructor, John Moorhead, will lead the class at his wood shop at the school, 350 Lange St.

Participants will learn safe and productive work habits, hand tool and power tool use, wood characteristics and selection, layout and marking, joinery (how it all fits together), and assembly and finishing.

There will be hands-on instruction for beginners, open shop time for experienced woodworkers, and lots of new tools in a clean and organized shop with an experienced instructor on hand. Students can attend one or two days a week.

For more information on how to enroll in the class, WOD 500, call the Mendocino College Lake Center, 263-4922.

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