LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Sons In Retirement Branch 168 held its monthly luncheon meeting at the Konocti Visa Casino on Friday, May 9.

During the board meeting – which was held before the luncheon – it was decided that board members would wear SIRs monogrammed shirts to future meetings.

The meeting opened with Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee, introducing two new members.

The travel chair, Bob Specht announced that there were too few members interested in going to the “Dance Inferno” show to require a bus.

Anyone interested in driving to Reno for a two-night stay, dinner and show should call Specht at 707-279-0147. The cost would be about $90 per person. The cost to golfers attending the dinner would be $44 and they should also contact Specht.

This month’s guest speaker was Jennifer Strong of the Strong Financial Network.

Her presentation contrasted how our emotions might dictate how we might like to use our money with the actual facts of how we need to use it.

Strong frequently inserted humor while keeping her presentation on topic and to the point.

In other matters, Frank West announced that his committee has scheduled this year’s picnic on Oct. 10 at the county park just down the road.

Branch 168 will cover the cost and Branch 133 members are invited. All that is required from members is that they bring an item for an auction.

Jim Cary, chair of the golf committee, reported that the golf season is off to a good start with tournaments selling out very quickly. If you are interested, get you name in early to Cary; his number is 707-998-3004.

Cary also announced that any member interested in entering the State SIRs tournament should contact him.

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who are pursuing the goal of enjoying their later years. It has 142 branches with 18,000 members throughout the state.

Branch 168 holds a luncheon on the second Friday of each month at the conference room at Konocti Vista Casino.

Anyone interested in learning more about Sons In Retirement is encouraged to contact Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee, at 707-263-3403 or to visit the state Web site at www.sirinc.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture (CWA), which launched AgVenture in August 2010, has recently released its 2014 program schedule.

AgVenture is an innovative concept in agricultural education that promotes understanding between the community and production agriculture.

Modeled on successful programs in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, in its first year AgVenture and CWA received the 2011 Lake County Stars award for “Best Idea of the Year.”

The program, open to 12 participants a year, is designed to build a bridge of understanding between those in agriculture and leaders in the community who influence public opinion and policies which directly affect Lake County farmers’ ability to farm.

The 2014 session will consist of once-a-month, day-long seminars held over a period of four months.

The meeting dates are Aug. 8, Sept. 12, Oct. 17 and Nov. 7, 2014.

Each day's seminar will focus on a commercial crop and will include speakers and farm visits.

Class members will gain a broad knowledge of the heritage, culture and business of local agriculture.

he sessions will cover such topics as economics, labor, history, marketing, water and land use, challenges and opportunities of farming, agri-tourism, and sustainability.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet with and learn from farmers and other local agriculture industry leaders.

Graduates of the prior years’ programs include elected local, state and federal officials, media, staff and directors of Lake County agencies and departments, farmers and educators.

Applications to participate in this year’s program are due June 10.

This year’s AgVenture program coordinator is Claudia Street, a graduate of the 2012 AgVenture program.

The members of her steering committee are Sharron Zoller, president of the Lake County Chapter of CWA; Toni Scully; Paula Bryant; Diane Henderson; Terry Dereniuk and Annette Hopkins.

Applications for the program are available by e-mail ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), on the CWA Web site ( www.lakecountycwa.org ), or by mail to CWA AgVenture, P.O. Box 279, Finley, CA 95435.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Public Works Department is continuing wheelchair ramp installation through Tuesday, May 20.

Public Works crews will be installing the wheelchair ramps on the corner of Clear Lake Avenue and North Main Street.

Please be alert and watch for workers in the area.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Lioness Club recently made a donation to support literacy efforts in Lake County.

Club President Anna Jones presented a check for $500 to Lake County Library Adult Literacy Program Family Coordinator Tina Woelbling.

The donation is for the purchase of books for needy youngsters who are learning to read.

The child will take the book home and read to their parents who, in turn, may also be learning to read.

In this way, both youngster and parent have the opportunity to further their reading skills.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Routes 20, 29, 53: The Davis Double Century bike ride is scheduled for May 17. Motorists should drive with caution through the area and watch for bicyclists.

Highway 20

– Clearlake Oaks County Water District has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Lakeview Drive to Keys Boulevard beginning Thursday, May 22. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Verizon of Weaverville has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from just north of Stonebord Road to the Alder Creek Bridge through Saturday, May 17. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform restriping at Simpson Lane beginning Sunday, May 18. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday evening through Thursday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– PG&E of Eureka has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs at Camp 1 Tenmile Road beginning Thursday, May 22. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

– Sidewalk enhancements from the junction of Routes 1/20 and Boatyard Drive will continue through Friday, May 16. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Highway construction from 1.0 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Nighttime work hours are 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect to allow trucks to enter and exit the highway. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Highway construction from 0.8 to 1.5 miles south of the North Willits Railroad Crossing will continue. Nighttime work hours are 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect to allow trucks to enter and exit the highway. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Lula Cellars of Lafayette has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to construct a road approach 0.3 mile west of Clark Road beginning Monday, May 19. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 175

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Russian River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 271

– Verizon of Weaverville has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from just south of the Humboldt/Mendocino County line beginning Friday, May 16. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday, June 14, the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum will celebrate the arrival of summer with a food and fun-filled day on the wrap-around porch looking out on Mt. Konocti.

The main house will showcase a quilt display loaned by Wilma Taylor and Victorian-style beaded flowers and jewelry created by Ellen Dills.

Select beaded pieces will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the museum.

In addition to the stage coach and retired San Francisco cable car, seldom seen pieces of historic farm equipment can be viewed in the barn and on the grounds.

Hear live music of the Stage Coach Era performed by Don Coffin and friends.

Enjoy a delicious seasonal lunch from Rosey Cooks, local gourmet caterer. Her famous “trio of tasty treats” dessert will accompany a box lunch.

Bring your own wine to sip in beautiful Ely Stage Stop wine glasses that will be available for purchase.

Games, basket raffles and silent auction items will also be highlights of the afternoon.

Seating is limited so reserve now. Last year’s picnic sold out quickly and its return has been greatly anticipated by those who attended and those who missed out.

The fun will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. Lunch is typically served at noon.

The event cost is $30 per person.

For tickets, call Pam Hendricks at 707-279-0427 or visit the museum and ask the docents for tickets during museum hours, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum, home of the Lake County Historical Society, is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Highway 281) in Kelseyville.

Visit www.elystagestop.com or www.lakecountyhistory.org or check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop .