CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Lake County Republican Women, Federated will meet Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m. at Main Street Bar & Grill, 14084 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.

Roseann Slonsky-Breault, president of California Federated Republican Women Northern Division, will give a firsthand account of the Republican Tampa convention.

Membership is open to all registered Republican women and meetings are open to the general public.

The cost for lunch and program is $23. The cost to hear the speaker only is $5.

To make reservations email Mary Broaddus at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 707-739-7068.

Visit www.LakeCountyRWR.org for events, newsletters and interests.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Library patrons who want to use the library’s Overdrive electronic book download service will have a chance to learn more about it on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

The workshop will take place beginning at 6 p.m. at Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.

Patrons are invited to bring their e-reader devices to the library and talk with library technician Christopher Veach about the eBook program.

Veach will conduct a Q&A session where patrons can learn to navigate in Overdrive, check out books and request books. For more information contact Veach at 707-263-8817, Extension 17103.

The library’s much-anticipated eBook loan program went live on Sept. 6 and patrons began using it immediately.

To check out and request e-books, patrons go to the Lake County Library Web site at http://library.co.lake.ca.us and click on the “Download eBooks” link.

Each patron may have five books checked out simultaneously and have a maximum of five requests. Books remain on the e-reader until the due date, when they vanish.

Overdrive is free but patrons must be library card holders to participate.

Library cards may be obtained for free at each branch of the Lake County Library: Lakeport Library 1425 N. High St., telephone 707-263-8817; Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake, 707-994-5115; Middletown Library, 21267 Calistoga Road, 707-987-3674; and Upper Lake Library, 310 Second St., 707-275-2049.

Adults must present identification and proof of their mailing address to get library cards, and parents must do the same to get cards for children under 18.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The 2012 AgVenture program got off to a wonderful start on Aug. 24 with a day dedicated to the Lake County Pear industry.

Debra Sommerfield, Lake County’s deputy county administrative officer for economic development, set the stage by explaining the importance of agriculture in the Lake County economy. She was followed by a day of speakers and field trips.

Class members heard firsthand about the challenges and opportunities in growing pears from Diane Henderson of Henderson Orchards. This was followed by a visit to her orchards where harvest was in full swing.

Broc Zoller, The Pear Doctor, provided an in-depth look at the important role that research has played in helping growers combat orchard pests with more eco-friendly solutions.

Myron Holdenreid charmed the class with his knowledge of the history of the pear industry in Lake County.

Lunch was sponsored by Scully Packing and Adobe Creek Packing and prepared by the Saw Shop Gallery and Bistro.

Toni Scully joined the session as the lunch speaker to explain the packing shed operation. This was followed by an amazing tour of Scully Packing sheds which were in full operation packing pears.

After the tour, Pat Scully, general manager, Scully Packing Co., explained the marketing process for pears.

Jack King rounded out the day with a discussion about immigration and labor issues that impact the pear industry as well as agriculture as a whole.

Students in the class were clearly impressed with the day. One student wrote “Fantastic! Great information and completed the learning circle by actually seeing what the speakers were talking about.”

The second session of the AgVenture program focused on wine and winegrapes. The day started at Umpqua Bank with presentations from Kris Eutenier and Scott De Leon.

Eutenier gave an overview of the many responsibilities that the agriculture commissioner’s office covers including pesticide applicator licensing and reporting, invasive pest detection, and bioterrorism prevention in our food chain.

De Leon focused on water issues including the irrigated lands program and County work on improving Clear Lake.

During the field trip to Beckstoffer Vineyards, Glenn McGourty gave the class an informative lecture on the history of wine from ancient times to the current Lake County wine industry.

While enjoying the stunning view from the top of Beckstoffer Vineyards, the class heard from Eric Seely, deputy county administrative officer for special projects and Randy Krag, viticulturist for Beckstoffer Vineyards.

Seely explained the requirements for establishing a new vineyard and used his experience with Beckstoffer as an example. Krag discussed Integrated Pest Management in the vineyard.

Lunch was sponsored by the Lake County Winegrape Commission and prepared by Chic le Chef.

Shannon Gunier, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, gave the class a quick lesson in the role of the commission in marketing grapes grown in the county.

The last stop of the day was at Gregory Graham Winery. Sitting at tables in the back of the winery, the class heard from Graham about the compliance requirements for a winery and then enjoyed a tour of his crush pad and barrel facility.

Two more AgVenture sessions are scheduled for 2012.

On Oct. 19, the class will reconvene at Riffe’s Meeting Room at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake. This session will focus on the walnut industry in Lake County.

Marc Hooper, pest control advisor with AgUnlimited, will address cultivation of both conventional and organic crops in Lake County.

Sky Hoyt, retail vegetable grower and part-time Mendocino College agriculture instructor, will talk about the challenges and opportunities as a fruit and vegetable grower and retail agriculture marketing channels.

Paula Bryant, vice president and commercial relationship manager for Umpqua Bank, will cover crop financing and lending practices.

Rick Coel, Lake County Community Development director, will review land use issues, the ag element of the county’s general plan, urban/ag interface, the Right to Farm ordinance, and value-added agricultural uses.

A tour of the Suchan Farm and Nursery, Upper Lake, and an overview of the walnut industry, including nursery, orchards, and dehydrator operations by Alex Suchan will conclude the day’s session.

The final AgVenture session for 2012 will be held on Nov. 9 at the Saw Shop Gallery and Bistro in Kelseyville.

Sen. Noreen Evans will address the class and talk about the legislative perspective on agriculture in California and the impact of invasive pests.

Other presenters for this session will include Emilo dela Cruz, mill master for Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill in Kelseyville, and Jennifer Keithly of Keithly Ranches, Kelseyville. Field trips are included with both presentations.

Members of the 2012 class include: Rob Brown, Lake County supervisor; Bernie Butcher, owner, Tallman Hotel; Judy Cortesi, retired small business owner; Linda Hedstrom, housing and economic development manager; Lori Holmes, renal dietician and school board member; and Tibor Major, attorney.

The class also includes; Stacey Mattina, owner, Konocti Realty and mayor of Lakeport; Gary Olson, broker/owner, Big Valley Properties; Matt Perry, interim county administrative officer, Lake County; Fr. Ron Serban, pastor, St. Mary Immaculate Parish; Rebecca Southwick, development/public relations officer, Sutter Lakeside Hospital; and Claudia Street, executive director, Lake County Farm Bureau.

Generous sponsors for the 2012 series of seminars include the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Adobe Creek Packing, Scully Packing Co., Umpqua Bank, the Lake County Farm Bureau, the Lake County Winery Association, and the Lake County Marketing and Economic Development Program.

Additional support has been provided by Saw Shop Gallery and Bistro, Tallman Hotel, Gregory Graham Winery, Chacewater Wine and Olive Mill, Vigilance Vineyards, Lake Parts, Lakeport Tire & Auto, Broc and Sharon Zoller, Mark Dellinger, Margaret Silveira and Terry Dereniuk.

Transportation for the field trips and site visits is being provided by the Military Funeral Honors Team van with support from the Kelseyville Olive Festival.

The AgVenture program coordinator is Terry Dereniuk, a graduate of the 2010 AgVenture program. Members of her steering committee are Annette Hopkins, president of the Lake County Chapter, California Women for Agriculture; Paula Bryant; Shannon Gunier; Toni Scully; Diane Henderson; and Michelle Scully.

More information about California Women for Agriculture is available by writing to P.O. Box 279, Finley, CA 95435 or visiting them on Facebook at Lake County California Women for Agriculture or on the web at www.lakecountycwa.org .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Redevelopment Oversight Board will meet on Thursday, Oct. 4.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

On the Thursday agenda is consideration of the independent accountant’s report on applying agreed-upon procedures relating to the due diligence review in accordance with AB 1484 applied to the Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund.

Members of the board include Clearlake Mayor Joey Luiz; City Manager Joan Phillipe; Supervisor Jeff Smith; Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta; member-at-large Bill Perkins; Bill Cornelison, retired Lake County Board of Education superintendent; and Bryon Bell of the Yuba College Chancellor’s Office.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild will present Rami Kim of Rocklin as the featured quilter at the guild’s 11th annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show.

The show takes place this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds at 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Show hours are Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kim will be present both days of the quilt show to talk with guests.

Kim’s work combines a scientist’s precision and attention to detail with an artist’s eye for line and color, not surprising in a woman who started her professional life as a biochemist but found a new chemistry when she discovered quilting sixteen years ago.

She works in a nontraditional style, creating original works that reflect her Asian heritage.

“I have special interest in three-dimensional textures and free-motion machine embroidery,” she said. “Manipulating two-dimensional fabrics into 3-D shapes always fascinates me.”

Along with making quilts, Kim teaches and writes about quilting, and her third book, “Elegant Cotton, Wool and Silk Quilts,” is due to be released this fall.

See Kim’s www.websiteamikim.com to see a gallery of her quilts, buy her books and to learn more about her.

For more information about the Falling Leaves Quilt Show, contact quilt show chairman Marj Sweeney at 707-994-1186 or visit the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild Web site at www.LLQG.org .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Sons In Retirement members of Branch 133, Hidden Valley Lake, held their monthly meeting and luncheon on Friday, Aug. 17, in the Greenview Room at Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course.

Fifty-three members enjoyed an outstanding Taco Salad Lunch with dessert and beverages of choice.
 
Big SIR Juergen Haller reported on his attendance to the statewide executive committee meeting earlier in August in Vallejo.

Encouraging news regarding new 2013 directors, revised auditing rules, and a better methodology to recruit new members was discussed.

Branch 133 has been successful in maintaining and increasing membership thanks to multiple activities designed to interest members and their families.
 
Golf Chairman Jim Cary reported on several recently completed golf tournaments/outings and on upcoming golf outings at various courses including Rob Roy, Bennett Valley, Hidden Valley Lake, Aetna Springs, Cache Creek, The Ridge and Dark Horse  in Auburn. Congratulations to Fred Figge for his hole-in-one at Cache Creek.

Also, the 2013 summer trip to Reno for three nights lodging, two rounds of golf, an awards banquet and other activities for non-golfers will be hosted by the El Dorado Casino Hotel. More details will be forthcoming.
 
Dick Kistner updated members on travel outings to see “Fiddler on the Roof” in Sacramento and to see the Jersey Shores concert in Reno scheduled for Nov. 13-15. Both outings include or included round-trip bus transportation from Clearlake in their respective charges.

Additionally, the SIRs’ 55th anniversary cruise in 2013 to Alaska departing San Francisco on Aug. 28 and returning Sept. 7, has been announced. Fliers with specifics are available for interested members.
 
A guest speaker from Hospice Services of Lake County provided important information regarding services available to local residents. Many options are available as needed for members and their families during end of life events inevitably in our futures.
 
The September luncheon on Friday, Sept. 21, at Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course, was picnic-style with barbecued chicken, barbecued ribs, baked beans, green salad, peach or apple pie and beverages. Extra activities included bingo, putting and chipping contests. Bingo game winners won bottles of wine from local wineries.

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who share common goals of patriotism, dignity, and service to each other and their local communities.

Interested individuals should contact membership chairman of Branch 133, Bill Brewster, at 707-987-9352 or any member they might know to learn more about SIRS or visit the SIR Web site www.sirinc.org for details.