Wiggins was a perfect seven for seven in voting for the Sierra Club’s targeted bills when they were considered on the floor of the Senate.

In a recent letter to the Senator, Sierra Club California Director Bill Magavern noted that she had voted to “protect California’s families from toxics in the products they use every day, to safeguard your home state against fire danger, and to give kids an opportunity to learn and play outside.

“You backed Senate Bills 974, 1113 and 1313, and Assembly Bills 1879, 2175, 2447, 2911 and 2989,” Magavern wrote, “casting strong, green votes that exemplify a genuine commitment to sustainability and environmental health.”

Wiggins introduced a number of environmental bills that were signed into law this year, though they were not included on the Sierra Club’s priority list.

Among them were SB 562, which provided $5.3 million for coastal salmon and fishery restoration projects to preserve and improve their habitat, and SB 1690, protecting the state’s crab fishery by creating an industry task force to help state legislators prevent fishery depletion like that which has occurred in the salmon industry.

She also introduced SB 1431 (also signed into law), to enable the state Department of Parks and Recreation to expand the use of conservation easements to protect open spaces and create buffer zones around pristine wildlife areas.

Wiggins represents California’s 2nd Senate District, which includes portions or all of six California counties: Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma.

Visit her Web site at http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.

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The event will take place at Galilee Lutheran Church Community Center, 8860 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a Norwegian folk dance class for young and old.

Beginning at 7 p.m., Vestafor Music and Dance Theater will perform. They will share the theatrical history of Norwegian dances and provide musical accompaniment on the Hardangerfele (hardanger fiddle), fiddle, torader (two row button accordian), Munnharpa (mouth harp), Slejefloyte (willow flute), Harpeleik (Norwegian chorded zither), Nyckleharpa (Swedish Harp). There will be audience participation in the dance.

A free will offering will be taken.

Meet the Artists during refreshments following the evening performance.

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CLEARLAKE – The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce will once again be sponsoring the annual Christmas Light Parade and Decorating Contest, and it's not too early to start planning your entry.

Applications to enter a parade entry are available online at www.clearlakechamber.com under downloads or at the chamber office, 4700 Golf Ave., Clearlake.

The Christmas Light Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6 will begin at 6 p.m. and follow Lakeshore Drive to Austin Park for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a visit by Santa Claus.

Deadline to enter your float, group, etc. is Friday, Nov. 21.

Volunteers are needed to help with the parade. Call the Chamber at 994-3600.

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The County Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in the County of Lake. The committee works in cooperation with the State and National Democratic Committees.

The Lake County Democratic Party conducts the Democratic Party campaign in Lake County under the general direction of the Democratic State Central Committee. It is responsible to build the party organization at the district, regional, and county levels, to register Democratic voters and to encourage Election Day turn out among Democratic voters.

The essence of the LCDCC's mission is to encourage the fullest possible participation of all Democratic voters and to disseminate the Democratic message, platform and philosophy.

The committee is responsible to officially charter Democratic Clubs and groups in Lake County. A major source of the LCDCC's grassroots organizing is through the encouragement and facilitation of Democratic clubs and organizations.

Additionally, the Lake County Democratic Committee develops official party policies and positions and communicates them to the public and to all officeholders. LCDCC provides a grassroots forum for the study and discussion of public policy issues and their impact at the local level.

The LCDCC endorses Democratic candidates for public office. Endorsements issued by LCDCC in local and municipal races become the official endorsements of the California Democratic Party.

Meetings are open to the public and associate committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 263-4529 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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The Renaissance Christmas Pageant Troupe is getting ready for their December performances with early previews for community groups. Photo by Voris Brumfield.

CLEARLAKE – Costumed players from the Renaissance Christmas Pageant Troupe entertained a packed house on Oct. 17 at the Lakehouse Inn Bistro and Lounge (formerly the Lamplighter) in Clearlake.

More than 50 members of SIRS (Sons in Retirement) enjoyed a “taste of” the Christmas pageant, with a narrative by co-founder Voris Brumfield, who explained its history and gave the audience a lively description of what the event is like.

Players included lead actor Bob Silvestre, co-founder and choir director Claudia Listman, singer Barbarajo Bloomquist, and script-writer/artistic director Laura Lamar, who sang songs and engaged in dialog drawn from the pageant, including the “Wassail” song, a traditional toasting song.

Brumfield described the tradition of men-at-arms parading a boar’s head around the hall before the feast, accompanied by nobles singing “The Boar’s Head Carol.” Several other songs with dialog were shared to give an overall sense of the experience, while the players joked and interacted with the audience.

A “taste of” performance will be offered at the November meeting of the Middletown Luncheon Club, on Wednesday the 19th at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church, 15388 Armstrong Street between Armstrong and Washington streets in Middletown, California, one block east of Highway 29. Come and see what all the fun is about!

This annual event takes place in the lavishly-decorated stone and stained-glass sanctuary of Middletown’s castle-like historic Pioneer Church, which was built in the 1890s. Gorgeous costumes and sets and delicious food make this a sparkling holiday entertainment, with over 16 traditional and Renaissance Christmas songs, dances, games, and entertainments.

The audience is part of this theater-in-the-round experience, and costumes are encouraged (but not required). Produced by the Middletown Community United Methodist Church, actors, singers, dancers, musicians, costumers, cooks and other volunteers — of all ages and faiths, including several parent/child duos — come from throughout the community and from other churches to participate in this production. This is family entertainment at its best, and a local tradition for over 15 years.

Tickets for the 15th Annual 2008 Renaissance Christmas Pageant and Feast in December are now on sale — and there’s a $5 discount on tickets purchased before Nov. 15^th.

Performances offer over two hours of non-stop entertainment, plus a three-course feast around which a lively costume drama unfolds. Shows will be held Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m., and Sunday afternoons, Dec. 7 and 14 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are pre-sale only and are $45 each; $5 off if bought before Nov. 15, so be sure to get yours early and save! Call Shari at 707-987-2653 to reserve your ticket. Or you can pick up tickets at Tri Counties Bank in Middletown, The Lake County Arts Council Gallery on Main Street in Lakeport, and at Wild About Books in Clearlake.

Pastor Wanda Celli can be reached at the church office at 707-987-3379.

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From left, educator Karl Reichman, inventor Jan Rippingale, Middletown Rotary President Korby Olson, and insurance broker David Riccio. Reichman, Rippingale and Riccio are all new members of Middletown Rotary. Photo by Helen Whitney.

MIDDLETOWN – The Middletown Rotary Club recently inducted three new members.

Club President Korby Olson, who also is Middletown Unified School District's superintendent, inducted the newest Rotarians.

They include educator Karl Reichman, inventor Jan Rippingale and insurance broker David Riccio.

For more information about the Middletown Rotary Club's current projects, events and membership, contact Helen Whitney, 928-9812.

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