MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – “Mars Needs Moms” will be screened as the latest “Movies in the Park” in downtown Middletown on Saturday, June 11.

The showing will begin at 9 p.m. at Middletown Square Park, located in front of the senior center and library at 21256 Washington St.

The 2011 Disney film follows 9-year-old Milo, who finds out how much he needs his mother when she's taken by Martians.

Lake County International Charter School will offer concessions.

Bring chairs and blankets and plan to enjoy the show.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Frederick (Fred) James Vincent died peacefully at home Sunday, May 29, 2016, after a long illness.
 
Born June 26, 1939 in Duncan Falls, Ohio, Fred learned at an early age the struggles of rural life and was determined to work smarter, not harder. That philosophy served him well through his varied and distinguished work career.

Fred was introduced to the world of electronic data processing on one of his first “paying” jobs. It sparked a lasting interest as he continued in that field in the US Navy (1958-1962), in the US Air Force (1964-1968) and into his next 22-year career as a highly proficient computer programmer for the federal government.
 
After Fred's federal retirement, he started a hobby career as owner/operator of Big Valley ICE. Known locally as the “ice man,” he serviced many of the local businesses and was always very much in demand during the fair season.
 
Fred is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ellen; son, Brian Vincent; daughter-in-law, Heidi Dunk; and grandchildren, Amanda McKibbin and Cole Jansen.

A special thank you to Debra Folla for all of her loving support, dedication and kindness through these trying times.
 
Private services will be held. Donations in Fred's memory can be made to the charity of your choice or to Fred's favorite charity, Abundant Life Ministries, P.O. Box 58, San Saba, TX 76877.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Anderson Marsh State Historic Park remains open and continues to hold monthly guided nature walks, followed by a tour of the Historic Ranch House Museum.

The final guided walk of spring 2016 is scheduled for Saturday, June 11.

Meet in front of the Ranch House at 8:15 a.m. for time to experience the early morning wildlife to be found in the Ranch House and Barn complex yard – the walk begins at 8:30 a.m.

Join Park Docent Roberta Lyons as she leads a leisurely walk to discover what the recent rains are continuing to bring to the Park.

Assuming the ground is dry enough, the guided walk will start along the grasslands of Anderson Flats, go up the hill past a vernal pool and then take the Marsh trail past the acorn woodpecker granary tree. The walk should take one and a half to two hours.

A ranch house tour will follow the walk. If rain cancels the walk the ranch tour will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Bring your binoculars. This time of year brings many migrating birds to the park, some to rest in the waters of Cache Creek and Anderson Marsh or in the nearby trees. There have been sightings of wintering eared grebes on the water and the white tailed kites have returned to the grasslands.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Highway 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake.

For more information about the walks, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-995-2658. More information about AMIA can be found at www.andersonmarsh.org .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – In loving memory of Walter “Walt” P. Hoertkorn, 69, of Kelseyville, Calif., who passed away on June 2, 2016.

Walt was born in San Francisco, later graduating from Junipero Serra High School and St. Mary's College of California with a Bachelor of Science in economics and business administration.

He served honorably as a radarman in the U.S. Navy.

He worked as a CPA for several years before moving to Hawaii for nearly 20 years. He worked there for the Department of Health in various facilities, but especially enjoyed his service a Kalaupapa Molokai. He retired from the Kelseyville Post Office in 2003.

Walt loved fishing, sailing, reading, being “Poppy” to his granddaughters, playing the comedian and having a nice cold beer on that hot summer day.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl; stepsons, James and Matthew Myers; stepdaughter, Jennifer Myers; granddaughters, Edea O'Neill-Jones and Nia Myers; daughter, Kolsoum Hoertkorn; son, Gary Hoertkorn; sisters-in-law, Carol (Joe) Lahoski and Pauline McAlhany. He is preceded by his parents Harold and Dolores Hoertkorn.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport on Friday, June 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with military funeral honors at 11:30 a.m.

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

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – It isn’t too late to make reservations for the June 12 Lake County Land Trust Spring Celebration in the garden of the Blue Wing Restaurant and Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

This fun event is one of two fundraising gatherings presented by the Land Trust each year, with funds raised going to the Land Trust’s many projects, including the Big Valley Wetlands preservation effort and managing and maintaining the Land Trust’s current properties like the Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake.

The event is hosted by Bernie and Lynne Butcher, owners of the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Café and will feature Lake County wine, hors d’oeuvres and music by David Neft.

The celebration is from 3 to 6 p.m. and tickets are $50 person; the public is cordially invited to attend.

A short presentation on current Land Trust efforts will be given by the trust’s president, Val Nixon, and will also feature introductions of new personnel.

Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 707-262-0707. Payment in advance is urged and can be accomplished by going to the Land Trust’s Web site, www.lakecountylandtrust.org and clicking on the donate tab and writing “Spring Celebration,” in the comments box when entering your payment information. Payment can also be taken at the gate to the garden.

The Lake County Land Trust has been campaigning to protect and preserve one of the last stretches of the Clear Lake shoreline, specifically between the Clear Lake State Park and south Lakeport area.

The Land Trust is a local nonprofit, founded in 1994, and is a member of the Land Trust Alliance and the California Council of Land Trusts.

The Lake County Land Trust is completely supported by local donations and small grants. To get in touch, you can call 707-262-0707 and leave a message, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Lake County Land Trust is also on Facebook, so you can “like” the page and visit it often for updates.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – On Wednesday, May 25, the East Lake Resource Conservation District was proud to host “Field Days in the Creek”  at Diamond D Ranch outside Middletown.

Approximately 75 fourth grade students from Coyote Valley and Minnie Cannon elementary schools participated in this interactive educational event on the banks of Putah Creek, where the emphasis was on seeing, touching, and learning about the natural world and natural resource management in an outdoor setting.

The children moved from one demonstration station to another over the course of an hour and a half.

Presenters included Ben Ewing from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife demonstrating backpack electrofishing; Carolyn Ruttan from the Lake County Department of Water Resources talking about aquatic invasive species such and quagga mussels; Dean Enderlin demonstrating geologic principles with rocks that naturally occur on site; Dr. Harry Lyons providing an introduction to our native trees and ways to identify them; and Joe Koschik from the US Forest Service discussing forestry and fire protection and providing a close up look at the anatomy of a real fire truck.

Although not part of the formal presentations, everyone also got a close look at post-fire resilience: although the Valley fire had reduced the riparian vegetation along Putah Creek to charred skeletons, lush new growth was already sprouting everywhere – and the massive valley oaks a little farther from the creek appeared to have come through unscathed.

After the demonstrations and hands-on activities, the students settled in for lunch – when who should appear but Smokey Bear! It was hard to tell whether the presenters, the students or the organizers were having the most fun on this beautiful day in the south county.

A project of the Upper Putah Creek Stewardship Council for many years, in 2014 Field Days came under the auspices of East Lake RCD, which is hoping to extend the program to the Konocti Unified School District at a future date.

For more information about the Resource Conservation District please visit www.lakercd.org .

Notice of Completion
of a Draft Environmental Impact Report
Wild Diamond Vineyards Project

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) (SCH #2016022084) for the Wild Diamond Vineyards Project is now available for public review.

Public comment on this document is invited for a 45-day period from June 6 to July 21, 2016.

Based on the information presented in the DEIR, the Wild Diamond Vineyard Project will not result in significant or unavoidable adverse impacts to the environment.

Where impacts existed, the DEIR found that environmental effects can be feasibly reduced to Less-than-Significant levels with the incorporation of the mitigation measures provided in the DEIR.

Project Name: Wild Diamond Vineyards

Project Applicant: Wild Diamond Vineyards, LLC

What is the Project/Brief Description of the Project: The project proposes to plant approximately 80 acres of new vineyards, construct a winery with the capacity to produce up to 52,800 cases of wine per year, a tasting room that will be open to the public, host 35 special events per year, and includes a self-guided interpretive center. Approval of the project would include a Major Use Permit for the agricultural related winery and tasting room and associated special winery events; a Grading Permit; and a Lot Line Adjustment between the Applicants parcels to provide appropriate building setbacks.

Where is this Project located?: The project site is located just north of the community of Hidden Valley Lake, approximately 1.3 miles east of State Route 29 and adjacent to Spruce Grove Road.

Where can you review documents for this Project? A copy of the DEIR and its technical appendices are on file and available for the public to review on the Lake County Community Development website or during normal business hours at the following locations:

1. Lake County Community Development Department, 255 North Forbes Street, Third Floor, Lakeport, CA 95453
2. Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High Street, Lakeport, CA 95453
3. Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake, CA 95422
4. Middletown Library, 21256 Washington Street, Middletown, CA 95461
5. Upper Lake Library, 310 Second Street, Upper Lake, CA 95485

The Lead Agency is Lake County Community Development Department, and inquiries regarding the project and/or DEIR should be directed to Peggy Barthel, Lake County Planning Department, at (707) 263-2221, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Public Comment/Review Period: If you want to comment on the DEIR, you may do so by sending letters or emails. Your letters and emails are a called “public comments.” Public comment regarding the Wild Diamond Vineyard Project and/or adequacy of the DEIR will be accepted in writing. Written comments can be mailed to Lake County Community Development, Attn: Peggy Barthel, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. Comments can also be sent by email to Ms. Barthel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The period for public review and comment during which the County will receive written comments on the DEIR will begin June 6, 2016 and end on July 21, 2016. Public comment will also be accepted by the County Planning Commission during public hearings on this project, which will be scheduled at a later time.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The blues benefit for Hope City has been rescheduled to June 11 due to rain on May 21.

The Lake County Fire Recovery Blues Benefit No. 2 will be held at Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum, 9921 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville, which is one mile from Kit's Corner on Highway 29.

This outdoor concert will include local crafts, info booths, raffles and a silent wine auction. Food will be sold by Cactus Grill and Nay Nay's BBQ from Clearlake. Wine and beer from Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties has been donated for sale.

Tickets are $15 cash at the gate. Guest passes for the May date will be honored. Children age 12 and under may attend for free.

Gates open at 2 p.m. with music from 3 to 7 p.m. by 62 Blues, The Henry Oden Band featuring Rich Kirch, Lady Bianca and Craig Caffall.

Bring lawn chairs, hats, sunshade. Carpooling is recommended. There will be free hayrides, ATV and golf cart transport to the field. Parking near the barn is available for those who need close access. Americans with Disabilities Access accommodations will be available.

The barn and museum at Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum will be open for visitors during their regular weekend hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information call 707-278-7126.