The event is a fun, family-oriented weekend that features pontoon boat tours, birding and nature walks, exhibits, nature talks and children’s activities.

The annual Wildflower Brunch, prepared by the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association, will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. It features a build-your-own omelet with choice of fillings, served with pastries, fruit and coffee. The cost for the brunch is $15. Advance brunch reservations and payment are requested and may be made online by visiting www.heronfestival.org or by calling 800-525-3743.

On Saturday and Sunday, pontoon boat excursions will take visitors along the shoreline of Clear Lake to view nesting herons, egrets, grebes, and other shorebirds. The 90-minute boat trips will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Experienced Audubon birding guides will accompany each boat to share information about the birds and wildlife seen on each trip.

The excursions will leave from the Clear Lake State Park marina and cost is $15 per person for the pontoon boat trips. Advance reservations are required and may be made online by visiting www.heronfestival.org or by phone at 800-525-3743.

The Visitor Center at Clear Lake State Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, the Visitor Center Auditorium will feature speaker presentations, slide shows, and videos on local birds and wildlife. Topics will range from the weekend’s featured herons, wildflowers, and hummingbirds.

The center features interpretive displays of Lake County’s natural and cultural resources including an erupting volcano, a Pomo Indian village, a mountain lion cave, and dioramas of the woodland and riparian habitats in the park. The gift shop offers educational and entertaining nature items.

Nature and bird walks will be led by local park docents and Audubon guides who are specialists in the park’s birds and wildlife. A nature fair with numerous outdoor exhibit booths will present conservation and nature displays, and educational materials. Nature-related arts and crafts also will be available.

Another highlight of the weekend, especially for children, is “Raptor Speak,” where live owls and other birds of prey join Curator Jenny Papkas from Native Bird Connections to offer an opportunity to see raptor behavior up close. Learn about these lively non-releasable raptors in a fun and informative talk and bird demonstration which is offered twice on Sunday.

Dr. Harry Lyons, Professor of Biology and Ecology at the Clear Lake Campus of Yuba College, offers an entertaining program on Sunday that mixes biology, music, and humor to tell the story of Clear Lake. In “Myths and Music of Clear Lake,” Dr. Lyons gives the history and biology of the lake’s more than two million years of existence and the importance of its ecosystem to the birds, fish, and wildlife of Lake County.

During Heron Festival weekend, admission to Clear Lake State Park is free. Except for the boat rides and brunch, all other festival activities also are free. Camping sites are available through the state park reservation system. Local resort, motel, and bed-and-breakfast reservations are available through www.lakecounty.com or by calling 800-525-3743.

For more information, call 800-525-3743 or visit www.heronfestival.org.

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Lake County Pride will be a nonprofit organization catering to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed, queer and questioning community of Lake County.

The purpose of this group will be to serve as an umbrella providing educational resources and social activities to the community in a safe environment.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at the Lakehouse Inn and Bistro at 14165 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.

Each member will be participating in $1 raffles where the money will be going to the organization.

Plans for social hour and a dance are already commenced.

For more information come to the Wednesday meeting.

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UPPER LAKE – The Northshore Dive Team will hold its next meeting this Friday, March 6.

The group will meet at 7 p.m. at its headquarters, Northshore Fire Protection District's Station 90 in Upper Lake, 9420 Main St.

Training will follow the meeting.

All interested persons are invited to attend. You don't need to be a diver to be a dive team member.

For more information contact Capt. John Rodriguez, 275-2446.

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NICE – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake will hold its Spring Fling Luncheon and Awards event this Saturday, March 7.

The event will begin at noon at Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino, 1545 E. Highway 20. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Dr. Dean Edell will be the keynote speaker, presenting his book “Eat, Drink and Be Merry.” Edell will discuss how the health nags have made us all confused and paranoid, and he'll separate what's real and from what's hype in the world health.

Meet and honor Soroptimist's Lake County award winners: Three women will receive monetary awards to help them with their college expenses and improve their lives.

There also will be a raffle and silent auction.

Seating is limited. Tickets cost $50 per person. To RSVP call Bobbie Rivas at 350-4851. The ticket price covers lunch, beverage and the famous dessert bar.

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LUCERNE – The Lake County Democratic Club meets Saturday, March 14.

The meeting will begin at noon at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 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 contact the Lake County Democratic Club at telephone 263-4529 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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The doors open at 9 a.m. and the meeting begins at 10 a.m. Come early to browse the quilt library, sign up for special events, and socialize.

Polly McKibbin of Ukiah will tell the stories the many old interesting quilts from her collection when she presents her trunk show. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy the show.

LLQG welcomes all quilters and prospective quilters to its meetings and events. Through a variety of programs and projects, the quilt guild members learn new skills and techniques, benefit the Lake County community, and enjoy themselves immensely.

For more information, contact Dottie at 462-7036 or Donna 262-1201, or visit the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild website at www.LLQG.org.

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