LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The annual old-fashioned Christmas Open House at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The park is located on Highway 53 between Lower Lake and the City of Clearlake.

Santa Claus will be there to greet children and hand out treats. Christmas songs will be performed by local entertainers with the public invited to join in.

The Christmas tree, decorated with the help of local elementary students, will be on display in the parlor of the historical ranch house at the park. Free hot cider, coffee, and lots of cookies and other treats will be provided.

Entertainers include Dr. Harry Lyons from Yuba College, Rick McCann, Tom Nixon, Middletown’s David Neft, Bluegrass musician, Don Coffin; Anna McAtee, Gae Henry, Henry Bornstein, Joan Moss and others.

This is a great opportunity to visit the historical ranch house at the park. The event has been a favorite holiday tradition for many years; and is continuing this year with the help of many local volunteers.

Christmas at the Ranch was started by the original members of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) and is continuing to be presented by the association.

The event is designed to welcome visitors to the house to enjoy the warm and festive atmosphere.

Christmas music is enjoyed by all and Santa waits in the parlor for youngsters to tell him of their Christmas wishes. A fire burns cheerily in the dining room where cookies, hot coffee, and cider are served.

The public is warmly invited to attend this traditional, relaxed, and fun holiday event. Join the volunteers of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association for an old-fashioned Christmas open house at the ranch.

For more information about AMIA or information about this event, go to www.andersonmarsh.org email for information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

To friend AMIA on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/AMIA.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Victorian Christmas High Tea menu featuring a special recipe from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is planned for the 10th annual Victorian Christmas Fair at the Lakeport English Inn.

Innkeeper Karan Mackey, her mother Ruth, and Karan’s sisters Jill and Marlene present this year’s fair and high teas through Dec. 16 at the bed-and-breakfast inn, 675 N. Main St.

During the Victorian Christmas Fair, the Lakeport English Inn is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, except Thanksgiving Day.

English Victorian High Tea is served to the public every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday during the Christmas Fair. Seatings are at noon and 3 p.m. However, groups of more than 15 people may schedule tea on other days during the run of the holiday fair.

The Lakeport English Inn is one of the few places in Northern California presenting English high teas.

A three-tier platter of “scrumptious delights” is planned for the “London Ritz Victorian Christmas High Tea.”

It will feature the Queen’s petite scones with lemon curd cream and King Phillipe of Spain's Armada frittatas, as well as traditional English scones served with Devonshire cream and strawberry jam.

The dessert tier will feature Tiny Tim Christmas cakes and sticky toffee holiday pudding.  

“The Victorian Christmas Fair is a celebration of Christmas traditions of long ago,” said Mackey. “Many magical trees are full of ornaments, carolers are singing of joy, friends are visiting with friends, gifts are being selected, and high tea is being served by ladies in Victorian dress. Come join in the fun.”

High tea guests and inn visitors will find common rooms and halls of the bed-and-breakfast inn filled with holiday ornaments and colorful decorations, garland, tinsel, lighted trees, wreaths and varieties of gifts available for purchase.

The menu is listed on the high tea page on the inn’s Web site, http://lakeportenglishinn.com/high-teas/christmas-fair.asp .

For high tea reservations, call the inn at 707-263-4317.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The LC Diamonds have teamed up with the Lakeport Senior Activity Center to celebrate the end of the world according to the Mayans on Friday, Dec. 21.

Festivities will include a no-host bar open at 5 p.m. and a buffet taco dinner at 5:30 p.m., prize raffle and dancing until 9 p.m.

Seating is reserved and filling fast.  

Tickets are available at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center for $25 per person.  

Call 707-263-4218 or stop by 527 Konocti Ave. in Lakeport from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to reserve your tickets.  

Tickets also can be purchased at the Meals on Wheels Thrift Store at 120 N. Main St. in Lakeport.  

To commemorate the event polo shirts can be ordered stating “I survived the end of the world at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center.”

The color of the polo shirt is black and available in sizes S, M, L, XL for $10 and XXL for $12.50.

Shirt orders must be placed before Dec. 1.

Proceeds benefit the 65,000 meals a year served by the Lakeport Senior Activity Center.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

Caltrans will suspend work on Northern California highways from Wednesday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 25, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary for Caltrans Maintenance forces to respond to emergency situations.
    
LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Construction of a roundabout at the Route 20/Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Road intersection will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction, Incorporated, of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Pavement repairs from Route 29 to 40th Avenue will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work 0.3 mile north of Fish Rock Road on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Shoulder improvements at various locations from Curley Lane to Pacific View Drive will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

Highway 20

– A pavement repair project from 1.4 miles west of Little Lake Road to Three Chop Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from James Creek to 1.2 miles west of Broaddus Creek. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 128

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Route 1 to the North Fork Navarro River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Pavement repairs from 0.4 mile east of the Robinson Creek Bridge to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – OC Jones and Sons of Berkeley.

Highway 253

– PG&E of Ukiah has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work near the Anderson Creek Bridge beginning Tuesday, Nov. 27. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Singley Cattlepass to the Robinson Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

Highway 271

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree trimming just north of Piercy. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Electrical upgrades 0.9 mile south of the Caltrans Maintenance Yard will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Cal Electro Inc. of Redding.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With the Thanksgiving holiday almost here, Cal Fire is reminding Californians about the dangers that home fires pose during the holiday season.

Holidays are a time of food, fun and festivities; but they are also a time to be extra cautious as thousands of home fires across the nation are caused from holiday cooking.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays, but it is also where most fires start. Cooking is the leading cause of fires in homes.

It is important to be especially alert of your cooking activities when your family and guests are around.

“Thanksgiving Day is often the day of the year when we respond to the most home cooking fires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. “It’s really important that everyone practice a little extra fire safety this Thanksgiving to help prevent a cooking fire.”

To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking fires, Cal Fire would like to offer the following tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove. Never leave cooking food on the stove unattended.
• If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Food preparation and cooking should always be supervised by an adult.
• When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors!
• Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
• Ensure that smoke alarms are installed and working.

For some more tips on cooking safety visit www.fire.ca.gov .

SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Spirit of the Season wish trees are decorating the Middletown banks and St. Joseph’s Church as well as Hidden Valley Realty and Mulligan’s in Hidden Valley.   

These trees are filled with the dreams of children on wish tree cards and thus the community is asked to shop and return a gift in a gift bag to the site from which the card was taken. All gifts should be returned no later than Dec. 7.

The Dec. 15 distribution will be held at the First Baptist Church in Middletown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wish tree gift calls should be made to Sandy Tucker at 707-900-1070.

More than 110 families from Cobb, Middletown and Hidden Valley Lake have signed up for food boxes and gifts for their age appropriate children.  

Donations to the south county grassroots program can be made to Spirit of the Season, P.O. Box 1468, Middletown 95461.  

No funds are given to SOS from any local Christmas fund raising resource and thus they count on your generosity to make this program possible.  

The program thanks Bill and Carolyn Tobin, Mary and Donald Einarsson, Tom’s Auto Dynamic, and Larry and Martha Menzio for their financial gifts to this year’s program.

All participants must present their postcard in order to receive a food basket and or gifts.   

These postcards will be sent to the registered participants by the end of November.

Any phone calls regarding the food program should be made to Phyllis Kelsey at 707-490-2497.