Bob Schneider, Tuleyome’s senior policy director, has been named to the Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest California Resource Advisory Council (RAC.)

The Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest California Resource Advisory Council (RAC) is welcoming new and returning members, following appointments by U. S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Members reappointed to three-year terms, and their areas of interest, are Michael Kelley, of Berkeley, dispersed recreation and Shirley Laos, of Trinidad, Native American tribes.

New members are Bob Schneider, of Davis, environmental groups; Eric Lueder, of San Rafael, off-highway-vehicle interests; and Dennis Possehn, of Anderson, timber industry interests.

“We receive valuable advice from widely divergent points of view from our advisory councils,” said BLM Northern California District Manager Nancy Haug, “and that is very important as we discuss challenging natural resource management issues. We are happy to welcome our new and returning members.”

The 12-member RAC works closely with BLM field managers in Arcata, Redding and Ukiah, advising on the BLM’s wide-ranging public land management mission.

The next meeting is Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29, in Ukiah.

“I am honored to serve on the council,” stated Schneider. “The Resource Advisory Council provides the public an opportunity to participate directly in the management of our public lands. I represent the environmental groups position but it is important to hear the viewpoint of all users and stakeholders and as a member of the RAC to craft solutions that best address those concerns.”

Tuleyome (www.tuleyome.org) is a regional conservation organization based in Woodland, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 530-304-6215.

HOPLAND, Calif. – The town of Hopland’s legendary Passport Weekend returns April 30 and May 1 with new wineries on the itinerary and dozens of activities that celebrate Mendocino County as “America’s Greenest Wine Region.”

Traditionally held every year on the first weekend in May, the event entitles all those with a “passport” to sample the area’s sustainable, organic and estate-produced wines paired with local food products, meet the winemakers and vintners, explore the history and culture of this beautiful wine destination and purchase these unique, locally produced products.

This year, 16 of America’s “greenest wineries” will welcome visitors between 11a.m. and 5 p.m.

Tickets include a Passport wine glass, entry to all wine tastings and food pairings, entertainment and drawings for over thirty prizes.

Tickets can be purchased at www.hoplandpassport.com and are $35 per person, $45 the day of the event, (free for designated drivers).

On Saturday April 30, shuttles run by the MTA will circulate between all participating wineries throughout the day, stopping at each winery approximately every 30 minutes. A Shuttle Pass is $15 and is good for Saturday only.

For the first time, wines from Parducci Wine Cellars, will be poured during the two-day passport weekend thanks to a new partnership with the Real Goods Store at the Solar Living Center in Hopland. Parducci, called by Forbes Magazine “America’s Greenest Winery,” is the nation's first carbon-neutral winery.

Also new to Hopland Passport this year is Cesar Toxqui Cellars, who recently opened a tasting room in downtown Hopland. Toxqui and his family invite participants to stop by and taste his handcrafted, small-batch artisan Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Heirloom wines, all of which are produced using sustainable, traditional methods.

The history of grape growing and winemaking in the Hopland Valley dates to the early 1900s, and today consists of a third of the vineyards in Mendocino County, many operated by second- and third-generation farmers who honor the region’s rich tradition by respecting the land, air and water that give it its character.

Participating wineries include: Brutocao Cellars, Campovida, Cesar Toxqui Cellars, Graziano Family of Wines, Jaxon Keys Winery, Jeriko Estate, McDowell Valley Vineyards, McFadden Vineyards, McNab Ridge Winery, Milano Winery, Nelson Family Vineyards, Parducci Wine Cellars, Patianna Vineyards, Rack & Riddle, Saracina, Terra Savia and Weibel Family Vineyards.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hoplandpassport.com or contact Destination Hopland Association at 1-800-433-3689.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Come out for a few laughs and a fun evening and help Kelseyville High School’s senior class raise money for their graduation during the annual Comedy Night next Friday, April 8.

The event will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.

The evening of entertainment will feature talented comedians and is organized by Lake County’s own Marc Yaffee.

Live and silent auctions will be held throughout the evening, with Rob Brown as the emcee.

Beer, wine and appetizers will be available.

Tickets are $20 per person presale or $25 per person at the door and are available at the Kelseyville Fire Department business office on Main Street, the Kelseyville High School office, Vintage Hair Salon, Catfish Books in Lakeport or any Kelseyville High School senior.

For more information, contact Teri at 707-349-3695.

Grover Stock explains the characteristics of permaculture gardening to an enthusiastic group of onlookers at the August 2010 Lake Co Community Co-op Presents event. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join the Lake County Community Co-op for a tour of Ancient Lake Gardens on Saturday, April 9.

The tour will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

Meet at 10 a.m. at Ancient Lake Gardens, 8993 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. From Four Corners on Highway 29, take Soda Bay Road for about three miles. Park across the road from the farm’s property entrance and meet at the gate of the entrance.

The tour is free and open to co-op members and the public.

Discover all that’s alive and fertile underneath the straw mulch and the sheet-mulch garden beds that were made during a previously held “Healthy Soils” Workshop in December.

Permaculture instructors, Mari and Grover, encourage you to bring your own soil samples as they uncover finished compost mounds and explain the benefits of cover crops, compost tea and “foliar feeding” (a technique of feeding plants by applying liquid food directly to their leaves) for healthy roots and plants.

No-till, early spring seeding of salad greens, onions and braising greens under a low-tunnel hoop house will be demonstrated; and some early spring gifts from the land – carrots, beets, leeks, cauliflower, cabbage, shallots, green onions, sorrel, celery, parsnips and kale – will be harvested.

Following the tour, for all who would like to participate, a film introducing permaculture practices will be shown that will include methods of design, zone planning, trees, soil, climate, aquaculture and more. Bring some of your favorite seeds to exchange with others.

One of the Lake County Community Co-op’s goals is to educate Lake County residents on how to live more healthfully and sustainably by keeping it local and, in this case, learning to become more self-sufficient with your very own ecologically friendly garden.

Don’t miss this chance for an unequaled opportunity to attend this most exciting garden tour set at the foot of beautiful Mount Konocti.

For more information on this event, contact Lori Patotzka at 707-994-1618.

Celebrating over three years in community, the Lake County Community Co-op (LCCC) envisions cultivating an evolving community by nurturing values of social, economic and environmental responsibility. Member input and participation is encouraged for the continued success of its co-creation.

The LCCC supports and enhances the local food system while providing a forum for community activities.

For more information or to become a member of the LCCC, follow the links at http://lakeco-op.org or call 707-993-4270.