“It’s about using the government’s power to help the powerless,” said Berg, D-Eureka.

Berg’s bill, AB 2487, would allow the collection arm of the state’s Franchise Tax Board to help collect civil judgments owed to the victims of domestic violence.

The measure, which has received strong bipartisan support in the Assembly, would apply only to cases in which the abuser is convicted in criminal court. The cost of collecting the debt would be paid by the abuser, not the state.

“Basically,” Berg told the Senate panel, “it takes the machinery of government and gears it to work on behalf of people who have been stripped of their power, people who have been abused by someone obsessed with exercising power over them.”

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Pageant hopefuls are invited to sign up for this year's contest. The deadline to become a contestant is June 20.

This year's pageant will take place on Aug. 8 at Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino in Nice.

Young women will have the opportunity to represent their community and receive scholarship money. The pageant winner will have the chance to compete for the Miss California title, which in turn takes part it the Miss America Pageant.

Earlier this year, Miss California Melissa Chaty of Ukiah was featured on Miss America's Reality Check and also was a Miss America Pageant finalist.

For information on how to become a contestant for Miss Lake County or Lake County’s Outstanding Teen call 707-263-1667 or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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This year's Lake County Wine Adventure is being hosted by the newly formed Lake County Winery Association.

Adventurous wine enthusiasts will have an opportunity to discover "wine with altitude" and taste the reason why Lake County – with a grape-growing history that extends back to the mid-19th century – is now fast becoming known for its award-winning wines, ultra-premium winegrapes, and resort-style wineries.

Throughout the weekend, "wine adventurers" will taste wines from Lake County's five distinct viticulture areas (AVAs) as they visit participating wineries, including: Ceago Vinegarden and Tulip Hill Winery in Nice; Brassfield Estate Winery in High Valley; Shannon Ridge Winery, High Valley Estate Vineyards, and Noggle Vineyards & Winery in Clearlake Oaks; Gregory Graham, Ployez Winery, Terrill Cellars, and Six Sigma Winery & Vineyards in Lower Lake; Langtry Estate Vineyards & Winery in Middletown; Moore Family Winery in Cobb; Cougar's Leap, Dusinberre Cellars, EdenCrest Vineyards, Mt. Konocti Growers Winery, Red Lava Wine Tasting, Rosa d'Oro Vineyards, Steele Winery, Snows Lake, Sol Rouge, and Wildhurst Vineyards in Kelseyville. Bell Hill and Zoom Wines will be offered at LCWS, a wine tasting studio located in the town of Upper Lake.

Adventure Tickets may be purchased online at www.lakecountywineries.org for $25 each. Each ticket entitles the holder to wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres at each winery, as well as a logo wine glass and winery map. Several of the wineries also will offer barrel tastings, winery tours, and entertainment. Event-goers may leave their Adventure Tickets with the last winery they visit to be entered into a raffle for several prizes.

Event organizers promote responsible hospitality and encourage all participants to designate a driver. For more information, call (707) 279-2927 or online to go www.lakecountywineries.org.

Lake County is part of the North Coast AVA, which also encompasses Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties. Within Lake County, five other AVAs exist – Clear Lake AVA, Benmore Valley AVA, Guenoc AVA, and the recently approved Red Hills AVA and High Valley AVA.

For visitor information, contact the Lake County Visitor Information Center at (800) 525-3743 or www.lakecounty.com.

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Headquartered in Port Chester, NY, PAX is a nonprofit educational organization which invites international high school students to the United States for an academic homestay.

El-Amin was selected to represent PAX due to a demonstrated enthusiasm, interest in foreign cultures and desire to become more active in the community.

She is currently interviewing Lake County families who are interested in sharing their lives with a young person from another country for the coming academic year.

“All PAX students have been carefully screened, speak English, have full medical insurance and come with their own spending money,” said El-Amin. “We work with students from 35 different countries, including those in Eastern Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.”

Host families are asked to provide the student with meals, a warm and supportive environment, and a place to sleep and study.

Local support is provided to the host family and student by El-Amin as community coordinator.

“We're looking for families who are interested in the world and in helping an exchange student learn more about America,” she said.

For more information, contact El-Amin at 995-2099 or PAX headquarters at 800-555-6211.

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Donated hardcover books are now $1, donated paperbacks are now $.50 and library discards are 10 for $1.

Canvas book bags with the Friends of the Library logo may be purchased at each branch. Bags are $10 and are available in red, navy, black, cream and burgundy.

Proceeds from the Friends of the Library book sales and bag sales support the Lake County Library.

The Friends of the Library Web address is

www.co.lake.ca.us/Residents/Community_Resources/Index_of_Organizations/Friends_of_the_Lake_County_Library.htm.

To join the Friends, see the membership information on the Web site or pick up an application at your local branch, fill it out and return.

Library branches are located at 1425 N. High St. in Lakeport, 14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake, 21267 Calistoga Road in Middletown and 310 Second St. in Upper Lake. The library Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us/page386.aspx, has more information about the library.

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If so, please refer them to the Konocti Senior Support Inc. This organization provides free peer counseling throughout Lake County and administers the Friendly Visitor Program in South County.

“Recipients of senior peer counseling, mostly home-bound, benefit from talking with people who have experienced life changes and understand their concerns,” said Lawrence Grant, board president, Konocti Senior Support Inc.

Volunteer peer counselors receive training and have ongoing group supervision and support by Clinical Consultant Kim Baughan Young, Marriage Family Therapist.

The Friendly Visitor Program offers friendship, understanding and companionship on a regular basis to south county seniors having limited access to outside activities. Volunteers are trained and participate in monthly supervision meetings.

Konocti Senior Support Inc., incorporated in 1995, is a nonprofit public service corporation dedicated to enhancing seniors’ quality of life. All services are free.

For more information, contact Gwen Snyder at (707) 995-1417.

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