Northshore Fire Protection District was able to purchase the new Medic 8511 ambulance thanks to funds provided by Robinson Rancheria and the Lake County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee. Photo courtesy of Northshore Fire.

NICE, Calif. – A new 2011 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance has been placed in service at the Northshore Fire Protection District's Nice station.

Medic 8511 is staffed 24 hours a day by a fire paramedic and a fire emergency medical technician.

The new ALS Medic ambulance was purchased by the Indian Special Distribution Funds behalf of Robinson Rancheria and the Lake County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee.

Medic 8511 is a demo unit purchased from North Star Emergency Vehicles-Braun Northwest Inc.

The unit has already responded to calls into Lake Pillsbury, Elk Mountain and Bartlett Springs using new capabilities of the four wheel drive.

The King and Queen of the Fairies, aka Shakespeare’s Oberon and Tatania, with their wee faerie folk danced the night away, courtesy of New Vintage Productions, while many attendees sampled the love potions, the featured Writers Block wines, which are among the fine wines produced by Steele Wines.

Children and festival faeries alike of all sizes danced in the Mischievous Fae Realm and romped outside the fairy ring while lilting music came from a half hidden woodland creature, fiddling from a tree.

All were close enough to hear drums, didgeridoo, rain sticks and more during the drum circle.

Inside the fairy ring other wee-folk listened to tales told by Athena, the wise, who was accompanied by the Wizard of Id, and went home with crafts of their own and dragon tears, amethyst crystals and other gifts.

Crafts artisans displayed their many wares for the visitors, and musicians and players entertained the crowd with music, dancing and original songs.

Sutter Lakeside Wellness Center was on hand for massage, acupuncture and Zumba.

Each vendor donated an item for the raffle, and proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Lake County Youth Center.

Meats, sweets and other eats were prepared by long-time renaissance participants who also happen to be local, from Lake County's backyard, who fit in perfectly with creations of grog and grub that were different from standard fare.

The Green Knight made an appearance to let us know that his mission is to stand up to ignorance with truth and knowledge.

Taylor Observatory of Kelseyville provided a telescope to observe the spectacular full moon as it rose over Mount Konocti.

Many experienced Renaissance faire alumni were present and in costume, as both participants and patrons brought revelry and magic to this event, which was organized by Steele Wineries’ own tasting room manager, Pam Prisco.

One often could not tell patrons from participants, and one was heard to question, "Now is that one of our fairies or a guest?"

Another visitor wrote, “What a joy! Last night was a great blend of music, entertainment, fairy dust, and Zumba! Gracias for all your effort and your creative spirit!”

The dance will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Main Street in downtown will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.

Refreshments will be available for purchase – wine, beer and food – and many businesses will have extended hours. There also will be raffles.

Celebrate the Season at Greystone Castle (aka the Middletown Community United Methodist Church, 15155 Armstrong St., corner Washington, Middletown), with a delicious three-course feast, theater-in-the-round in the Castle’s Great Hall, glorious a Capella Renaissance and Christmas music, stunning authentic costumes and décor. Come as yourselves or as a noble, a peasant, or as a pirate.

Dates for this year’s evening performances are Fridays, Dec. 2 and 9, and Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10, at 7 p.m. Afternoon performances will be held on Sundays, Dec. 4 and 11 at 3 p.m.

The final dress rehearsal is open to church members and cast and crew friends and family for free. A low cost sneak preview performance with tasty morsels (a mini feast) will be available at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, for just $10.

Only 50 seats are available per performance. Special showing or scenes can be scheduled. Vegetarian meals are available if requested at time of ticket purchase.

Individual tickets are $45 each; sales begin Nov 1. Early Bird Tickets are $40 each and are available Oct. 1 through Nov. 23.

For groups of four or more, tickets are $35 each; group tickets are available Oct 1. through Nov. 23 (a $10 per ticket discount as a group).

Purchasers also are eligible for a $20-per-ticket nonprofit donation for your tax return.

pageant goers support vital community programs such as emergency food distribution, parenting support groups, community outreach programs and more which are sponsored by the Middletown Community United Methodist Church.

You are encouraged to begin the holidays with this spirit-soaring community celebration. Tickets are a great gift or invite your club, close friends, office staff, your family or your neighbors.

Tickets are pre-sale only and are NOT available at the door.

Large group reservations can be made as early as Sept. 1 with a 20-percent nonrefundable deposit with full payment due by Nov. 1.

General sale of tickets begins Nov. 1; to purchase, call 707-295-7174 or make group reservations.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The cutoff date is nearing to apply for funds available to help Lake County residents who are behind one month on their rent or up to three months behind on utility bills.

Funds are also available for residents in need of move-in costs, such as security deposit, related to a move to new permanent housing.

The last date to submit an application is Sept. 15.

Catholic Charities is administering the Federal Emergency Shelter Grant (FESG) funds, and applicants must qualify and meet state and federal guidelines. Needs and residency will also be verified.

To see if you qualify, go to www.srcharities.org/services and click on Lake County services to find FESG information.

You may also call 707-528-8712, Extension 126 for an application.

Federal Emergency Shelter Grant for Lake County is funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), via CA Department of Housing & Community Development.

Lake County Fair is one of Lake County's favorite summertime events, and is enjoyed by nearly 40,000 people each year.

The fair features a variety of entertainment, food, exhibits, a carnival, and livestock shows.

The 2011 fair theme for 2011 is “Make Some Magic!”

Special features for the 2011 Fair include the annual Junior Livestock Auction, and more than 4,000 exhibits entered in various competitions.

Fairgoers can also expect appearances by a variety of local musical acts and attractions on three stages, as well as clowns, magicians, and other strolling performers.

Fiesta Latina activities will take place on the Sutter Lakeside Hospital Stage area on Sunday, Sept. 4, and are presented by Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino.

Events in the grandstand arena include the Lake County Lawn Mower Challenge Races on Thursday evening, a demolition derby on Friday evening, open mud bogs and a 4x4 truck pull on Saturday evening, and the California State Finals of the WGAS Motorsports Tuff Truck and Buggy Races on Sunday evening. All grandstand shows start at 7:30 p.m.

Local participants also are encouraged in the demo derby, truck pulls, mud bogs and the tuff truck races, and entry forms are available at the fairgrounds office.

Live local entertainment occurs continuously on two stages. The Sutter Lakeside Hospital Main Stage will host the likes of the Snake Alley Band, LC Diamonds, Bill Noteman and the Rockets, and the Mark Weston Band, among others. The Mediacom Stage will host a variety of acts including Mike Wilhelm and Hired Guns, Travis Rinker, the Don Carter Quartet, and Jim Williams on acoustic guitar.

A fair parade, the kickoff event for the annual Lake County Fair, starts at Natural High in Lakeport, travels south on Main Street, and ends at the main gate to the fairgrounds with the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The parade occurs at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1. Upon arrival at the main gate, everyone who enters the parade with a float will receive free entry to the Fair.

Fair buildings and grounds swell to bursting with the thousands of displays made, grown, or raised for entry by talented residents both young and young at heart.

Entries for judging in the fair include most types of fine arts, home arts and crafts, photography, amateur wine and beer, many types of agriculture and floriculture, livestock, small animals, and horses.

Walk on contests this year include a mystery pie contest, a scavenger hunt, a clay sculpting contest and, and an ice cream making contest.

The annual Junior Livestock Auction takes place on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m. in the Baldwin Pavilion. Businesses and individuals are invited to bid on the prize-winning livestock raised and exhibited by local youth.

Various livestock species are displayed throughout the fair, including swine, beef, sheep, goat and horse exhibits from local 4-H and FFA exhibitors.

Small animals are represented as well, with chickens, turkeys, rabbits and cavies all residing in the barn areas.

Also in the Baldwin Pavilion, the annual Round Robin contests pit the best showmen and showwomen in each species against each other to be named the best showperson of the Fair. The Round Robin takes place at 6pm on Saturday, immediately following the Livestock Auction, and is presented by Calpine.

Regular admission prices for the 2011 Lake County Fair are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $6 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day. Children through age 11 are admitted for $3 on Thursday, September 1st only, for "Kid's Day."