LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to participate in its annual Red Kettle fundraising effort.

The program will run from the day before Thanksgiving – Wednesday, Nov. 21 – through Monday, Dec. 24.

Volunteer opportunities are available at various locations in the county: Clearlake, Kelseyville, Hidden Valley Lake. A location also can be set up in Middletown.

The Salvation Army anticipates having locations at Walmart, Foods Etc., Grocery Outlet, Pogo's Pizza, Mendo Mill, Kelseyville Lumber, Rivera Foods and Hardester’s.

For more information contact Salvation Army service center coordinator Barbara Ringenberg at 707-995-1128.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Halloween is a fun and exciting time of year, but it is also an important time to practice fire and personal safety.

The occurrence of fire increases around Halloween due to the use of candles as decorations.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Halloween decorations are the cause of over 1,000 homes fires each year.

Cal Fire would like to remind parents and trick or treaters to practice a few simple safety precautions.

Costumes

• Purchase costumes made of flame resistant or retardant material. Fire resistant does not mean fire proof.
• Apply reflective tape to Halloween costumes.
• Consider using make-up instead of masks which can obstruct vision.
• Avoid loose and baggy sleeves. Stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric.
• Keep hemlines short enough to prevent tripping.

Decorations

• Light jack-o-lanterns with a battery powered light – NEVER use candles!
• Instruct children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire.
• Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources including light bulbs and heaters.
• Keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.

Trick-or-Treating

• Children should always go trick-or-treating with a responsible adult.
• If driving, be sure to watch for trick-or-treaters who are too busy to watch for you.
• Provide children with flashlights or glow sticks to carry for lighting and visibility.
• Do not allow children to carry sharp sticks or other objects that could cause injury to others.
• Keep your yard free of tripping hazards, such as tools, hoses, etc.

Remember to closely inspect all candy before allowing children to eat it, discarding any unwrapped treats. If in doubt, throw it out!

Cal Fire wishes all Californians a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

For more Halloween fire safety ideas and tips, please visit the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Calpine Corp. will hold the next public informational meeting to report progress on construction of the Enhanced Geothermal System Demonstration Project currently at The Geysers on Friday, Nov. 2.

The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. at the Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center, 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown.

The project is a cooperative effort between Calpine and the U.S. Department of Energy.

For more information about the public meetings call 707-987-4270 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For more information on the EGS program visit www.geothermal.energy.gov .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – While most of the attention last Friday night was on the field where Clear Lake High was successfully defending their Bass Bowl Championship against  Kelseyville High, other significant things were going on.

The US Air Force chose this year’s game to be part of their High School Rivalry series.  

This made the varsity player from each team with the highest grade point average eligible to receive the Outstanding Student Award, which included a $500 scholarship.  

The scholarship was awarded prior to the start of the varsity game.  

Zuhuri Haver Sebahive Manley was the recipient from Clear Lake High with a cumulative GPA of 3.69. Anthony Melero was the recipient from Kelseyville High, with a cumulative GPA of 3.55.

The US Marine Corps was also represented at the game and acted as the color guard for the National Anthem. Sgt. David Gonzalez led  Private First Class Brad Myaer (from Kelseyville High School) and Private First Class James McGann (from Clearlake High School), both of the  class of 2012, as they presented the colors.

“It was fun for us and great to get those young men some recognition for their service to their Country.  We hope to be able to do it again next year,” Gonzalez said.

The Vietnam Veterans of America group also was present with an informational booth.

Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families.

“Our goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans,” according to local chapter vice president, Walt Frazier.

With the $1,500 in scholarships awarded at the Kiss My Bass Pageant, the US Air Force contribution makes the scholarship payouts for Bass Bowl events total $2,500, according to Bass Bowl director Phil Smoley.  

“We very much appreciate how our military branches have come out to support the Bass Bowl like they have,” Smoley said. “It was special having a recent grad from each school return in their military uniforms to be part of the event. It was Homecoming for them.”

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine tasting event featuring the Lake County wine releases from both Laujor Estate and Cougar’s Leap of Black Rock Ranch, and artist reception with illustrations by Stephen Bellah on Friday,Nov. 2, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 3, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Musical entertainment during the Friday evening reception will be the duo MAJIDE!, and during the Saturday reception we will have Jim Waters on keyboard.

Laujor Estate Winery is a small production, family-owned boutique winery with vineyards located in the famed Red Hills Appellation with a beautiful view of Mount Konocti. Owners and vintner Dave and Cheryl Lucido drew upon the names of their children, Lauren and Jordan, to create the name of their winery.  

The vineyard site offers optimum volcanic soils that provide excellent drainage with growing conditions similar to the Mediterranean's warm days and cool evenings with breezes that blow in from Clear Lake. The resulting intense fruit allows the Lucidos to get the best expression from each varietal at harvest.

The Lucidos will be at the receptions to introduce their new wine releases and to share the news about their new tasting room expected to open in early 2013.

Nestled in the Red Hills Appellation not far from Laujor Estate, is Cougar's Leap Winery at Black Rock Ranch. At an elevation of 2,300 feet, the ranch is named after the large deposits of shiny obsidian rock exposed throughout the volcanic soils.  

The winery is named for the wild cougars that roam the hills and is owned by award-winning winemaker, Nils Venge. The studio is pleased to offer his new releases of Wildcat White and Petite Sirah as part of the tasting sampler.

Illustrator Stephen Bellah began his artistic education at an early age and continued throughout his educational years, participating in competitions and garnering awards along the way.  With college came advanced art studies.   

Bellah was the editorial cartoonist for the local student newspaper and later provided cartoons for the American Medical Magazine. Those assignments kindled his passion to create illustrations in pencil.

Intrigued by the illustrations of Paul Calle, an artist who depicted many drawings representing the NASA Space Program in the early 1970s, Bellah began to produce several drawings of President Lincoln and the civil war era that were purchased by the Lincoln Savings and Loan Institution.  

As a land surveyor, he has produced several historical drawings within this line of work, including building unique hand-crafted frames.

Upon moving to Lake County, he was fascinated by its magnificent history and was inspired to create several drawings from the early era. Many of his drawings represent Lake County's famous resorts and the means travelers took to get there.  

The $12.50 ($10/pp for Studio club members) wine sampler with paired appetizers will feature 2011 Cougar's Leap Wildcat White [Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Blend] with shrimp mousse on rice cracker, 2010 Laujor Sangiovese with Italian cheese ravioli in tomato sauce, 2009 Laujor Zinfandel with a rosemary & raisin flatbread pizza, 2009 Laujor Malbec with Gorgonzola & fig spread on crostini, and 2008 Cougar's Leap Petite Sirah with Tri-tip with a Petite Sirah reduction glaze.

There is no charge to those who wish to view the artwork and meet the artists without partaking of the food and wine.  Reservations are not required.

Lake County Wine Studio is both a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artists’ shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.

The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Clarke art show will be on display for the full month of September.  

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030.

Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol want to remind motorists to prepare for winter weather. If you must travel during a winter storm, be prepared and use caution as well as common sense.

Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition. In particular, check the antifreeze, tire pressure and tread, brakes, windshield wipers, heater, defroster and exhaust system.  

When traveling through snow country, motorists should carry tire chains that are the proper type and size, and are in good condition.  

Chains must be installed on the drive wheels, so make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive.  

Other useful items to take are a flashlight, chain repair links, ice scraper or spray deicer and a shovel.  

Taking along water, food, warm blankets, and extra clothing will make you more comfortable if you experience a lengthy delay.  

And before you leave, put an extra car door key in your pocket; a number of motorists have locked themselves out of their cars when putting on chains.  

“A prepared motorist is a safer motorist to themselves, other travelers, and our highway workers. Focus on the road and avoid distractions, so everyone can arrive safely to their destinations.” said Caltrans District 1 Director Charles Fielder.

Don’t be rushed. Get an early start to allow more time to reach your destination.

Let someone know your travel plans, your route, and when you expect to arrive. Make sure to let them know if plans change.  

Keep your fuel tank full in case it’s necessary to change routes or you get caught in a traffic delay.

A highway speed of 55 or 65 miles an hour may be safe in dry weather, but it is an invitation for trouble in winter weather.

“Be more observant, attentive and slow down. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead,” said CHP Officer Matt Harvey.

Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not, so remember to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes.                                        

If you encounter fog, make sure to slow down and drive with your lights on low beam. Don’t stop on a highway, unless it’s an emergency.  

Keep a close watch on your speed, and don’t forget the law that requires you to have your headlights on anytime your windshield wipers are on continuously.

Officer Harvey said, “Remember to always wear your seat belt, don’t drink and drive, and reduce your speed when on slick pavement.”

Before traveling and during your trip, be sure to check current road conditions by calling the California Highway Information Network at 1-800-427-7623, by visiting www.dot.ca.gov or by monitoring the local media.