LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Home Wine Makers Festival reminds amateur wine and beer makers that it's not too late for them to submit their entries for both tasting and judging at the event, which is taking place Saturday, June 25, at Lakeport's Library Park.

There are no fees for wine samples poured for the general public, who will then vote for their favorites in the popular “Peoples Choice” awards event. A modest $7 per bottle is assessed for wines submitted for judging by a panel of professionals.

Thanks to the generosity of one of the participating commercial wineries, Bell Hill Vineyard, the building next door to Bigg's Cafe will again be made available for wine judging. It is located at 125 Park Street, across the street from the winefest venue, and is the site of the future downtown tasting room of Bell Hill.

Amateurs entering their wines for judging should deliver them to this location no later than nine am the morning of the event. Beers and ales to be judged may be delivered to Guido's Pizza, 5440 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville, prior to the winefest.

Applications and instructions for all winefest events and activities can be had by visiting its Web site at www.homewinemakersfestival.com, or by calling 707-277-8172 or 707-277-7076. Home brewers may also call 707-279-2762.

Last year's Peoples Choice winners were David Petrari of Foster City for best dry red, Connel Murray of Kelseyville for best dry white, Bruce Lightfoot of Cobb, for best fruit wine, Jack Morris of Lakeport, for best sparkling wine and Greg and Jeff Conely of Middletown for best aperitif/dessert wine.

Best label awards went to Jeff Buege, Rolf Kriken, and Pam and Rod Duncan for their Big Valley Red, with a “best booth” award tie between Sheila Honeycutt of Kelseyville and Dennis and Marisa Koenig of San Mateo.

Best beer winner was the “Two Dudes” team of Dan Wieman of Lower Lake and Joe Parker of Kelseyville.

In judged wines and beers, nearly five dozen ribbons were awarded, split among some 44 contestants from Lake and other Northern California counties.

Once again popular local keyboardist David Neft, supported by drummer Steve DuBois will provide musical entertainment as The David Neft Duo, with intermission assistance from guitarist Travis Renker. Erik Patrick will once again serve as master of ceremonies.

The winefest – as it's popularly known – is now in its ninth year, and is the major fundraiser for Clear Lake Performing Arts.

All proceeds support the group's local music activities, including the Lake County Symphony and the CLPA Youth and Junior Youth orchestras, as well as scholarships for deserving students. Winefest hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Many of Lake County's leading commercial wineries also participate, and although they are not eligible for judging or direct sales, many schedule special promotions and winery-discount sales to coincide with the event.

Arts and crafts people and commercial and food vendors also contribute to the winefest, which is free and open to the public although people wishing to taste the wines and beers – whether amateur or professional – need to purchase a ticket and tasting glass for $20 at the gate or in advance for $15.

Tickets may be obtained from The Kitchen Gallery, 301 N. Main St.; Watershed Books, 305 N. Main St.; Shari's Secret Garden, 240 N. Main St.; Catfish Books, 1113 11th St.; or the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, 875 Lakeport Blvd., all in Lakeport.

Tickets also may be purchased at Rosa d'Oro Wines, 3915 Main St., and Wildhurst Winery, 3855 Main St., both in Kelseyville; Steele Wines, 3350 Thomas Dr. in Finley; Tulip Hill Winery, 4900 Bartlett Springs Road and Hwy 20 in Nice and High Valley Winery, 12151 E. Hwy 20, Clearlake Oaks.

The show will air from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on 88.1 FM.

Gura said he will ask Anderson about medical marijuana dispensaries, the latest prosecutions and how things are going in the DA’s office after almost six months in office.

He said they may also touch on some of the controversies with which Anderson has been involved.

Studio phone lines will be open. Call 707-263-3435.

More than 400 students packed out Lakeside Lanes for Epic Midnight Madness 3 in December 2010. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Rock walls, superslides, dodgeball, laser tag, rock n bowl, karaoke, prizes, arcade games and lots of food. Who says there's nothing to do in Lake County?

Junior highers and high schoolers countywide are already planning to converge on June 24 for an all-night party of epic proportions.

“This is our fourth Epic Midnight Madness event, and they just keep getting bigger,” said Boone Bridges, the event's lead organizer. “We had over 400 students at the last party, so this time around we're planning for twice that. It'll be madness!”

A team of adult volunteers will be on hand to serve food, organize games, and make sure things don't get too crazy.

“This is a fun, safe event for students. Parents can rest assured their kids will be taken care of ... just make sure you pick them up the next day!” said Bridges.

For the first time ever a “Mid-Day Madness” event is being added for children under sixth grade. Parents must accompany their children, and have full, free access to the jump houses and other activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Both events take place at Lakeside Lanes Family Fun Center in Lakeport. Doors open at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 24, and students need to be picked up at 8 a.m. the next day.

Dinner, breakfast, and snacks are provided.

Tickets are $20 at the door, or $15 before the event at www.epicmidnightmadness.com. Call Grace Church in Kelseyville at 707-279-8448 for more information.

The wineries are both on Point Lakeview Road just off Highway 29 in Lower Lake.

The event is an effort to raise money for the Konocti Regional Trails and Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association.

The event will feature great local wines and food prepared by Lake County's finest chefs.

Attendees will taste local cuisine from chefs and restaurants that will be showcasing their special pairing and culinary skills, with awards to be given in four categories by a panel of professional judges and in a fifth special category by festival participants – “Consumers Favorite Wine and Food Pairing.”

Guests also will receive a commemorative wine glass to enjoy fine wines as they enjoy breathtaking views of Anderson Marsh and the rolling vineyard studded hills above Clear Lake, while strolling the newly created 1.3 mile Vineyard Trail Loop that connects the two vineyards.

For those not interested in the short hike, special transportation accommodations will be provided.

Informational exhibits will be available on the Konocti Regional Trails System and Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, as well as the importance of Tules and Cattails to the Clear Lake Watershed.

Lucky attendees may also win raffle prizes, including a weekend stay at "the ranch" at Vigilance and a $500 tandem inflatable kayak system.

Tickets cost $40 per person and $30 for wine club members. To date, restaurants participating in the event are the Blue Wing, Cactus Grill, Park Place, Chef Nicholas Catering, Rob Roy Restaurant and the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro.

Tickets can be purchased in person at Gregory Graham Winery (707-995-3500), Shannon Ridge Tasting Room (707-998-9656), Vigilance Tasting Room (707-994-9656) and at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport (ask for Jennifer).

Tickets also can be purchased online at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=qgyk5kcab&oeidk=a07e3tbrarp2b61e1bb .

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from the Lake/Mendocino County Line to Ogden Road beginning Tuesday, June 21. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Metal beam guardrail repair from 0.6 mile east of Le Trianon Resort to 0.1 mile west of Blue Lake Motel will occur on Monday, June 20. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Middle Creek Bridge and the Clover Creek Bridge will begin Monday, June 20. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from Burpee Drive to Lake Street will begin Friday, June 17. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– Mediacom California of Clearlake has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repair from Sulphur Bank Road to Catholic Church Road beginning Monday, June 20. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A pavement repair project from the junction of Routes 20/53 to the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge will begin Monday, June 20. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. In two-lane sections, one-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. In three-lane sections, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Slide repairs west of Gravel Plant Road will continue. 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. Contractor – Figas Construction of Eureka.

Highway 29

– Middletown Central Park Association has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for the annual Middletown Days Parade on Saturday, June 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A full road closure will be in effect. A detour will be provided, and motorists may experience minor delays.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Scotts Creek Bridge will begin Monday, June 20. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

Highway 53

– Highway widening from 40th Avenue to Olympic Drive will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Sierra Equipment Rental of Glenn.

Highway 175

– Storm damage repair from 0.2 to 1.8 miles east of the Lake/Mendocino County Line will begin Monday, June 20. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Middletown Central Park Association has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for the annual Middletown Days Parade on Saturday, June 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A full road closure will be in effect. A detour will be provided, and motorists may experience minor delays.

Highway 281

– Lake County Fire Safety Council has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for vegetation cleanup from 0.9 mile west of Tenino Way to the junction of Routes 29/281 beginning Monday, June 20. 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.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Old State Highway/Road 501A to Manchester through Friday, June 17. 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.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repair at near Creamery Lane on Wednesday, June 22. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Storm damage repairs near the Union Landing Viaduct 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 – Valentine Corporation of San Rafael.

– A maintenance project on the South Fork Eel River 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 – NY Blastco of Gardenia.

Highway 20

– Highway widening from 2.3 to 3.3 miles east of Gravel Pit Road 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 – Team Ghilotti Inc. of Petaluma.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Russian River Overhead and the Redwood Valley Undercrossing will begin Monday, June 20. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

Highway 101

– Ben's Truck and Equipment, Incorporated, of Red Bluff has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for a spill cleanup 0.9 mile south of the Pieta Creek Bridge on Tuesday, June 21. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– A pavement repair project from the Robinson Creek Bridge to Uva Drive will continue. Work hours are 4 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– Repair of a slipout from Reeves Canyon Road to Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at various locations from 0.5 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to 0.7 mile south of the junction of Routes 1/101 will continue. Work hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

– Painting at the Arnold Bridge Overhead will continue through Friday, June 17. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Certified Coatings Co. of Fairfield.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at various locations from Rosewarne Road to the Humboldt/Mendocino County Line beginning Monday, June 20. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. In two-lane sections, one-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. In four-lane sections, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 128

– Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, LLC of Ryde has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in beginning Friday, June 17, and continuing through Monday, June 20. A shoulder closure will be in effect 24 hours per day. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Culvert repairs from the Beebe Creek Bridge to the Sonoma County Line will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

Highway 175

– Storm damage repair from 2.0 miles east of Buckham Drive to 0.4 mile west of the Lake/Mendocino County Line will begin Friday, June 17. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 253

– Culvert repairs from Butler Ranch to the junction of Route 101/253 will begin Friday, June 17. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

All projects are weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans wishes to advise 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).

The event will begin at 4 p.m. at the resort, 2870 Lakeshore Blvd.

There will be a potluck, and attendees are invited to bring their own instruments to play.

Bastille Day is a French national holiday that celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789.

For more information visit Featherbed Railroad online at www.featherbedrailroad.com or call 707-274-8378.