According to AAA’s latest travel survey, many Californians are choosing to visit family and friends instead of trimming their travel budgets during the upcoming holiday celebration.

AAA Northern California’s latest travel survey predicts more than 5.3 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this extended, four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That represents an overall increase of 4.1 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

“Many Californians have foregone holiday family gatherings over the past three years,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “This year the overwhelming desire to travel has taken hold and the desire to create lasting family memories is proving to be more important than staying home for the Thanksgiving weekend.”

According to AAA, the state’s roadways will be heavily congested as more than 4.5 million Californians are projected to travel by motor vehicle during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a 4.1 percent increase when compared to last year’s figures.

Despite higher airfares, more than 620,000 holiday travelers are forecasted to fly, which is an increase of 1.9 percent when compared to 2010. More than 145,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains. This represents an increase of 14.9 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

Nationally, AAA forecasts more than 42.5 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend. This represents more than a 4-percent increase when compared to last year’s travel statistics.

An average West Coast family of four is projected to spend an average of $906 over the holiday weekend. Families who travel by car are likely to drive an average of 647 miles over the four day holiday weekend. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index reveals that AAA Three Diamond lodgings are likely to increase 6 percent from a year ago with an average price of $145 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be 7 percent higher, with an average room costing $103 per night.

The number of people traveling by air is expected to increase this year, despite a 20 percent jump in fares during the holiday weekend, according to AAA.

This Thanksgiving weekend, the average lowest round-trip rate is projected to be $212 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Car rental rates will decrease 11 percent to an average of $37 per day over the holiday weekend.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, AAA’s Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow for drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day), until 6 a.m. on Nov. 26, in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles.

“Just tell the AAA operator, ‘I need a Tipsy Tow,’ and a truck will be on its way,” said Harris. “Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the driver and his or her vehicle to the driver’s home.”

There will be an old-fashioned sing-a-long around the player piano, refreshments and merriment.

The tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m.

The museum is located at 16435 Main St. in Lower Lake.

For more information please call 707-995-3565 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The fruit of Sol Rouge Winery's vines will be featured at a wine release party on Saturday, November 26, 2011, in Upper Lake, Calif. Photo courtesy of Sol Rouge.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting the annual Sol Rouge wine release party event with winemaker Bryan Kane on Saturday, Nov. 26.

The party will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the wine studio, located on the corner of First and Main Streets in historic Upper Lake, across from the famous Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon & Café.

Sol Rouge is a family estate vineyard and winery located in the Red Hills Appellation at elevations over 1800 feet.

North of Napa Valley in the foothills of the dormant volcano which formed the North Coast wine country, this land contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rogue derived its name – translating to “red soil” in French.

This 70-acre estate is currently planted with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Cinsault.

Nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge, this aggressive site is all hillside with slopes up to 50% and is said to be the most tightly planted vineyard in the Red Hills AVA, with nearly 6,000 vines per hectare in some blocks.

The $10 wine and appetizer sampler will include new Sol Rouge releases – 2008 Gypsy Blanc, and 2010 Rosé, alongside previous releases of award-winning 2007 Gypsy Rouge (People's Choice Nominee and judge’s Gold Medalist), 2007 Syrah and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.

At this special one-night-only Thanksgiving weekend event, Lake County Wine Studio will offer pairings of all-time favorite studio appetizers. Sol Rouge wine club members are invited to attend at no charge.

Artworks remaining on display at the Studio throughout November include abstract acrylic paintings by Shelby Posada. Musical guest will be the Majide! duo, Paul Kemp on keyboard and vocals by Machiko.

For more information, call Susan Feiler at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Energy Watch has programs available for electric residential and business customers in Lake County to help improve energy efficiency.

The Energy Fitness Program offers lighting retrofits at no- or low-cost for customers whose electrical demand is 200 kW or less per month.

These retrofits are available to city, state and federal facilities located in Lake County, as well as nonprofit organizations, small businesses and special districts.

The retrofits include 4- and 8-foot linear fixtures, high bay fixtures, Energy Star compact fluorescent lamps, LED exit signs, occupancy sensors, vending machine controls and faucet aerators, as well as additional LED and other cost effective savings measures.

Most of these measures are available at absolutely no cost – including removal and installation of high energy efficient lighting – with just a few of the options requiring a nominal surcharge.

Lake County Energy Watch has received assistance from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to pay any applicable surcharge for lighting retrofits available through the program for non-profit organizations in Lake County.

For residential customers, Lake County Energy Watch is helping to promote A.B.S, an Energy Savings Assistance Program contractor who contracts locally with Richard Heath and Associates (RHA) to provide income-qualified residents with free energy education and weatherization on homes, apartments or mobile homes which can include attic insulation, weather stripping, caulking, energy-efficient lighting and refrigerators, window repair and more.

Lake County Energy Watch is administered by PG&E using funding from California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Energy Watch partnerships are designed to help local governments and their communities lower their energy bills and enjoy a cleaner environment.

You may find information about other PG&E programs on the Lake County Energy Watch Web site, www.energy.co.lake.ca.us, under the “Energy Efficiency Specialist” link, or at www.pge.com.

For more information about the Lake County Energy Watch program, visit the Web site or contact Michalyn DelValle at 707-263-2221.

The distribution is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. or until food runs out on Monday, Nov. 21, at Glebe Hall at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 4085 Main St.

For information call Linda at 707-528-8712, Extension 103.