MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Youth Football and Cheer program will hold a fundraising dinner and dance on Friday, Aug. 12.

The event will take place from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Twin Pine Casino Event Center, 22223 Highway 29 at Rancheria Road.

There will be a barbecue dinner with chicken, ribs and all the fixings, then dance to music with a live DJ.

Other event features will include a photo booth, games and a raffle including prizes like a motorcycle, gym membership and more.

The cost for the dinner is $25 per person.

Have a great night and support our community's children.

Tickets are available at Middletown Florist, through any of the board members, or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture is pleased to announce its 2016 AgVenture class.

Twelve community leaders from a range of positions were selected to participate in the seventh year of this popular program, which got under way this past week.

Selection into the AgVenture program is based upon an invitation and on the applicant’s interest in the program, their professional position in the community, and their ability to help maintain a viable agricultural industry in Lake County.

Members of the 2016 class include Robert Massarelli, Lake County Community Development director; Katherine “Kat” McDowell, real estate broker, Real Estate Alliance and Lease; Andy Lucas, business representative, Community Development; Will Evans, deputy Water Resources director, county of Lake; Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, property management, community mitigation and consulting; Roberta Lyons, conservation chair, Redbud Audubon Society; Morgen Wells, public relations and philanthropy, Sutter Lakeside Hospital; Genevieve V. Jopanda, chief of staff, State Board of Equalization; Brian Martin, Lake County sheriff; Mark Melendez, Agriculture Department, county of Lake; Courtney Van Leuven, adjunct agricultural instructor, Lake County Campus of Woodland College; and Victoria Brandon, Lake County Sierra Club.

AgVenture is an innovative concept in agricultural education designed for non-farming community leaders and others who wish to understand the vital role that local agriculture plays in Lake County’s economy.

Class members gain a broad knowledge about agriculture and farming in general, and more specifically about the heritage, culture, economy, and business of local agriculture.

AgVenture sessions cover topics including labor, history, marketing, water and land use, agro-tourism, and sustainability.
   
“This program has grown exponentially in popularity over the past seven years. We had so many stellar applicants this year that our selection process was truly challenging. We feel fortunate that we’ve created something that people find valuable,” said longtime AgVenture Steering Committee member and event creator, Annette Hopkins.

The first session was Aug. 5, with future sessions planned for Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Nov. 4.

The first session focused on the pear industry; the second session looks at the winegrape industry; the third concentrates on walnuts; and the last session spotlights olives and labor.

Class members will hear from a wide range of specialists including “The Pear Doctor” Broc Zoller, PhD, PCA; Bruce Houdesheldt of the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition; and Cecilia Chi-Ham, PhD, leader of Public Property Resource for Agriculture’s Biotechnology Resources Program, among many others.

AgVenture participants also have opportunities to tour local a pear orchard, an olive mill, a walnut orchard and several wineries.

Generous sponsors for the 2016 series of seminars include the following people and businesses: Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Scully Packing, Bella Vista Farming, Weed Tech, Wilda Shock, Kenny Parlet, Umpqua Bank, Rainbow Ag, Monica Rosenthal, Mary O’Meara and Lois Suchan, American AgCredit, Lake County Farm Bureau, Groody River Films, Lucerne Roofing and Lisa Wilson.
   
Additional support has been provided by Tallman Hotel, Gregory Graham Winery, Chacewater Wine and Olive Mill, the Lake County Winegrape Commission and the Lake County Winery Association, Boatique Winery, Suchan Farm and Nursery, Beckstoffer Vineyards and Henderson Orchards.     

The AgVenture program Steering Committee, all CWA members, are Annette Hopkins, Paula Bryant, Toni Scully, Diane Henderson, Terry Dereniuk, Debra Sommerfield and Brenna Sullivan.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Sponsors and volunteers are needed for Lake County Fire Recovery Blues Benefit No. 3: Valley Fire Tribute Concert.

The blues benefit will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, from 2 to 6 p.m. on the field of Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum, 9921 Soda Bay Road, off Highway 29 in Kelseyville. 
 
This is the second benefit by Spotlight On Productions for Hope City to rebuild homes lost to the Valley fire.

Hope City is a project of Hope Crisis Response Network, a disaster relief, faith-based nonprofit that brings volunteers to build homes across the U.S. Hope City is a member of Team Lake County, with North Coast Opportunities operating as their local fiscal agent. Donations are used to purchase building materials locally. 
 
The Valley fire tribute concert will open with Dave Broida & Blues Farm from Lake County. Mighty Mike Schermer from Austin, Texas, will be backed by friends from Sonoma County and Vocalist Miz Dee from the Bay Area.

Since this will be the anniversary weekend of the Valley fire, several special guests have been invited to speak.
 
There will be barbecue, tacos, snow cones, wine and beer, crafts and a silent auction.

Tickets are $15 cash at the gate, 12 and under are free. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.

Carpooling is recommended. There will be golf cart & ATV transport to the field from the parking areas. ADA accommodations will be available.
 
For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leave a message at 707-278-7126.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Jobe Watersports is bringing the fun of stand up paddle boarding to Clear Lake on Aug. 15 in Lakeport.

Jobe Watersports recently announced the details of its “SUP 2 The People” demo tour.

The tour launched on July 17 and includes stops in Colorado, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon before finishing on Aug. 21 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The Netherlands-based company makes stand up paddleboards, wakeboards, water skis, wetsuits, life jackets and other watersports gear.

Visitors at each of the tour’s 25 stops will have the chance to try Jobe stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and experience products from tour co-sponsors Johnnie-O clothing, Bai Beverages, Eagle Eyes, CLIF Bar, JoFit, Eagles Nest Outfitters, GU Energy Gel and Rockview Farms.

The tour is scheduled to be in Lake County on Monday, Aug. 15, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Library Park’s Third Street Boat Launch in Lakeport.

Numerous Jobe stand up paddle boards and gear will be available for free tryouts.

Local SUP groups, paddling clubs and dealers will support nearly all of the tour’s stops.

“We want to get more people on the water,” said Maud Broekmeulen, marketing manager for Jobe Watersports. “Whether they’re trying the sport for the first time, or trying out the latest technology, we want them out there having fun.”

Two Jobe brand ambassadors, Stephanie Lynn Martin and Taylor Reed Newton, will lead the tour. Martin and Newton were selected as part of a contest leading up to the tour.

“Spending the summer introducing people to a sport I love is a dream come true,” said Newton. “Add in the chance to see some of the most beautiful places in the country, and it’s hard to imagine a better summer ‘job.’”

Martin and Newton will share their experiences through Jobe’s social media channels, including @jobewatersports on Twitter, @jobesup on Instagram, Jobe SUP on Facebook and JobeSports  on Snapchat.

The complete tour schedule is available at www.jobesports.com/sup2thepeople .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Ladies 40-9ers Golf Club rounded out July with two nine-hole events.

The first was a low net score game on July 21.

The results were:

– Flight one: First place, Joy Ryan, net 33; second place (tie), Barbara Harris and Bonnie Eagleton.

– Flight two: First place, Mariana Bendinelli, 33; second place, Gwen DeRosa, 38; third place, Kit Hoss, 40.

– Flight three: First place, Liz Cummesky, 28; second place (tie), Floydean Greenlow and Diana Schneider, 35.

– Flight four: First place, Denyse McCracken, 36; second place, Linda Millard, 39; third place (tie), Barbara Carver and Pat Bright, 48.

The club also honored Toni Stratton for being the most improved golfer from June 1 to July 1.

Then the group held another low net score game on July 28.

The results were:

– Flight one: First place, Joy Ryan, 33; second place (tie), Barbara Harris    and Mariana Bendinelli, 35.

– Flight two: First place, Gwen DeRosa, 37; second place, Julia Yamashita, 39.

– Flight three: First place, Floydean Greenlow, 37; second place, Marla Peterson, 40; third place, Toni Stratton, 44.

– Flight four: First place, Denyse McCracken, 37; second place, Linda Millard, 41.

Joann Marie Williams was born Nov. 6, 1929, to Otto and Olga Heck of Alameda, Calif. Joann was welcomed home by her older brother Bill.

She graduated from Lincoln Elementary School and Notre Dame High School in June 1947.

Her life after high school was an adventure. She studied a year at San Francisco State. She worked at Alameda Recreation Department in many of the local parks. It was then that her great adventure would begin.

First she had the wonderful opportunity of working aboard the President Wilson as a recreation director for the American Dependent Children going to and coming from American bases in the Philippines and Japan to the U.S.

The next great step was a three year gig with the U.S.O. in Europe, primarily in Germany working in their centers for U.S. servicemen stationed in Europe. In that time she was able to travel widely visiting France and Italy as well as much of Germany. She was able to reunite with Heck family relatives in Cologne.

After her return from Europe she finished her degree at San Jose State and then worked for a number of years with the San Jose Recreation Department.

Then Joann married Richard Williams and they settled in Castro Valley where they adopted Michael and Scott. Joann continued to work in San Jose, and Dick in San Francisco. Then they moved to Cobb, Calif.

Over the years on Cobb Mountain, Joann was very active in the community, developing long and deep connections. She taught at the Locnoma Valley High School and for Yuba College.

She was instrumental in forming the Cobb Mountain Lioness Club in 1986, and was the first president. She was also the district president of the 4C2 Lioness, a longtime member of the ladies Guild for Our Lady of the Lake in Loch Lomond, charter member of the American Legion at Starview, co-founder of the Cobb Meadow Larks 9-hole ladies golf group at Hoberg's Forest lake, member of the Red Hats of Cobb, and belonged to the book club and Cobb train group.

She dedicated her time to helping others even when in poor health herself. Joann was our Queen and very respected in our community. Touched many lives and will not be forgotten.

She is survived by her brother and his husband, William Heck and Clancy Woolf; son and his wife, Michael and Kathy Williams; son and partner, Scott Williams and Kathleen Wright; grandchildren, Robert and Ryan Gordillo, Jay Miller, Cody Sharp, Donice Luck and Sebastian Cooley; great-grandchildren, Desirae Luck, Johnny Abreu and Zachary and Julian Sharp; and great-great-grandson, Joseph Luck Abreu.

A memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake, Loch Lomond, at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

With the warmest months of the year upon it, it's important to make sure your air conditioning system is in good condition and can take the heat.

Parts of California have already seen record-breaking temperatures in 2016. If you don’t currently have an A/C unit, you may be thinking about getting one.

For those who already have one, there’s no time like the present to schedule a check-up. Regular check-ups and maintenance can help ward off future problems and costly repairs.

More than 11,200 complaints about heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) companies and contractors were filed with Better Business Bureau, or BBB, in 2015, up about one percent from 2014.

Complaints involve being charged up front for a service that was never done, difficulties with getting refunds, and misleading estimates.

Whether you’re installing a new system, scheduling a check-up, or repairing a broken unit, the following advice will help you hire a trustworthy HVAC contractor:

· Do your research. Ask family and friends for recommendations, and make sure to research companies for free at www.bbb.org . BBB Business Reviews will give you access to customer reviews, history of complaints, and any ad concerns. You can even use BBB’s Online Directory to search for a BBB Accredited Business by industry and location.

· Get multiple estimates. Try to obtain at least three estimates for the work being done. This will give you an idea of the price range of the service you need. Make sure you understand the reasoning for each estimate and the work to be performed – get all of this in writing. Use the free, online BBB Request-a-Quote to receive estimates from BBB Accredited Businesses online.

· Verify credentials and licenses. Make sure the company or contractor is licensed and insured, and ask for proof of the appropriate documents. California law requires an HVAC Contractor License (C-20) through California’s Contractor’s State License Board (CLSB) for projects that exceed $500. When installing a new HVAC system, you may have to obtain a building permit. Make sure you have the appropriate permits to avoid future fines or issues, and have your city or county perform a final inspection if necessary to ensure you’re meeting all regulations and codes.

· Request a price breakdown. Are there any trip or service charges or additional equipment costs not included in the quote? Make sure you know what you’re paying for and get this in writing.

· Get everything in writing! Make sure your contract is in writing and you’ve reviewed it carefully before signing. Information about warranties and guarantees should be clearly stated and understood. Check your current warranty to see if any repairs or replacements could be covered.

· Pay wisely. Use a credit card as it can offer more protection than other forms of payments. You shouldn’t have to pay in full until the work is completed and you’re satisfied. Any scheduled payments or payment plans should be clearly outlined in your contract. “

Rebecca Harpster is public relations specialist with your Better Business Bureau, serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.