LUCERNE – Lake County Sheriff/Coroner candidate, Francisco Rivero, will be the guest speaker at the March meeting of the Lake County Democratic club.

The club meets Saturday, April 10, at noon at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center in Lucerne.

The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive (corner of 10^th and Country Club) in Lucerne.

The senior center serves breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon.

The public is invited. Membership in the Lake County Democratic Club is open to registered members of the Democratic Party.

For more information e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-277-0713.

Jessika McCollian, a young horsewoman, is among this year's contestants for Lake County Rodeo Queen. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – Hello, my name is Jessika McCollian and I live in Lower Lake, Calif. I am competing for the title of Lake County Rodeo Queen.

I have been riding and training horses for six years, and have competed in local gymkhanas and barrel races. I am attending college at Yuba Community College and after I graduate I will be furthering my education as a certified horse trainer.

I am the secretary of the Anderson Marsh 4-H and am involved in the 4-H's Citizen and Leadership Club. If I am selected as the Lake County Rodeo Queen I want to encourage young persons to be involved with their community, especially in the sport of Rodeo.

If you are a cowgirl who likes to show off your skills and earn great prizes, we would love to have you compete for the title Lake County Rodeo Queen or Princess.

Applications and qualifications are at www.LakeCountyRodeo.com or call Jeannette Roush at 707-263-0741.

KELSEYVILLE – Join Wildhurst Vineyards at its downtown Kelseyville tasting room on Friday, April 16, for its popular “Girls Just Wanna Have Wine” event.

The evening event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Bring your girlfriends, sisters, mothers, daughters and neighbors for an evening of fantastic wines and good times.

There will be a contest for “best animal print while drinking wine.”

The cost is $7 per person.

Reservations are recommended; call 707-279-4302.

Wildhurst Vineyards' tasting room is located at 3855 Main St., Kelseyville.

Are you expecting a refund from the IRS this year? Here are the top 10 things you should know about your refund.

1. Refund options. You have three options for receiving your individual federal income tax refund: a paper check, direct deposit or U.S. Savings Bonds. You can now use your refund to buy up to $5,000 in U.S. Series I savings bonds in multiples of $50.

2. Separate accounts. You may use Form 8888, “Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account,” to request that your refund be allocated by direct deposit among up to three separate accounts, such as checking or savings or retirement accounts. You may also use this form to buy U.S Savings Bonds.

3. Paper return processing time. If you file a complete and accurate paper tax return, your refund will usually be issued within six weeks from the date it is received.

4. Returns filed electronically. If you filed electronically, your refund will normally be issued within three weeks after the acknowledgment date.

5. Check the status online. The fastest and easiest way to find out about your current year refund is to go to www.irs.gov and click the “Where’s My Refund?” link at the IRS.gov home page. To check the status online you will need your Social Security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund shown on your return.

6. Check the status by phone. You can check the status of your refund by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 800-829-1954. When you call, you will need to provide your Social Security number, your filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of the refund shown on your return.

7. Delayed refund. There are several reasons for delayed refunds. For things that may delay the processing of your return, refer to Tax Topic 303 at www.irs.gov, which includes a checklist of common errors when preparing your tax return.

8. Larger than expected refund. If you receive a refund to which you are not entitled, or one for an amount that is more than you expected, do not cash the check until you receive a notice explaining the difference. Follow the instructions on the notice.

9. Smaller than expected refund. If you receive a refund for a smaller amount than you expected, you may cash the check. If it is determined that you should have received more, you will later receive a check for the difference. If you did not receive a notice and you have questions about the amount of your refund, wait two weeks after receiving the refund, then call 800-829-1040.

10. Missing refund. The IRS will assist you in obtaining a replacement check for a refund check that is verified as lost or stolen. If the IRS was unable to deliver your refund because you moved, you can change your address online. Once your address has been changed, the IRS can reissue the undelivered check.

For more information, visit www.irs.gov or call 800-829-1040.

MIDDLETOWN – The Calpine Visitors Center will host an Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 17.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free community event will feature booths, presentations, entertainment, power plant tours and much more.

Reservations for power plant tours are strongly recommended. Please call 707-987-4270.

The Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center is 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown. Visit the center online at www.geysers.com .

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– AT&T of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs between Spring Street and Manzanita Road. Work hours are 9 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.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from Le Trianon Resort to the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge beginning Monday, April 5. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from 1.8 miles east of the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge to the Colusa/Lake County line. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from the Saint Helena Creek Bridge to 0.8 mile north of Spruce Grove Road beginning Monday, April 5. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from Mathews Road to Grouse Springs Road beginning Monday, April 5. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– A culvert replacement project from Haven Neck Drive to Navarro Ridge Road will continue. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Kapel Construction of Willow Creek.

– Construction of a retaining wall about three miles north of Elk will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 20

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from 0.6 to 1.1 miles west of Wildwood Campground through Friday, April 2. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A culvert repair project 3.3 miles east of Wildwood Campground will occur on Monday, April 5. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Kapel Construction of Willow Creek.

– Construction of a retaining wall 0.4 mile east of Three Chop Road will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs on Wednesday, April 7. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

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 will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

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).