KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Lioness Club will meet Thursday, Feb. 17.

The group will gather at noon at Riviera Hills Restaurant, 10200 Fairway Drive, in the Clear Lake Riviera.

Plans for a Mother's Day gift basket raffle will be on the agenda.

Proceeds from this fundraiser are for the campership fund and other projects which benefit the youngsters of Lake County.

The Konocti Lioness Club encourages anyone interested in becoming a member of this active group and wish to attend the meeting to call Lioness Elizabeth at 707-279-8562.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Delight your sweetheart this Valentine's Day with tickets to the fifth annual Wine & Chocolate Festival.

This year’s event, a benefit for Lake Family Resource Center, takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at Mt. Konocti Growers, 2550 Big Valley Road, Lakeport.

The fundraiser is presented by Kathy Fowler Auto Center, Mt. Konocti Growers, Bruno’s Shop Smart, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Konocti Vista Casino, Savings Bank of Mendocino County and other donors and sponsors.

More than 25 Lake County wineries are participating, and are pouring award-winning, premium Lake County wines, including sparkling wines, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Grenache and ports.

Luscious chocolates have been paired by Certified Sommelier Stephanie Green from Focused on Wine in Kelseyville.

Green, currently pursuing her master's in wine sponsored by Gina Gallo, said Wine & Chocolate is one of her favorite local wine events.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for local wineries to present premium wines to a wide audience,” Green said.

In addition to tasting wine and chocolate, entertainment will include raffles, a silent auction, workshops, conversations with winemakers, a new “Best Pairing, Best Wine, Best Food” contest, and an antique car show (weather permitting).

New this year is participation by several local restaurants offering tastes of savory gourmet foods paired with local wines.

The silent auction and raffle includes trips, wine baskets, special dinners at local wineries, and many other unique items and opportunities.

Proceeds from the Wine & Chocolate Festival benefit the programs and services of Lake Family Resource Center.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and are available at the following locations:

• Hillside Honda, Lakeport;

• Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lakeport;

• Lake Family Resource Center, Kelseyville offices;

• Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Clearlake Oaks;

• Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyards & Winery, Lower Lake;

• Wildhurst Vineyards, Kelseyville;

• Kitchen Gallery, Lakeport;

• Saw Shop Gallery & Bistro, Kelseyville;

• Judy Conard Law Office, Lakeport;

• Steele Winery, Kelseyville;

• Tulip Hill, Nice.

For more information, call 707-279-0563 or 888-775-8336.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – “The Philadelphia Lawyer,” with Lower Lake attorney Ron Green, airs from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Wednesday during Steve and Catherine Elias’ “Lake County Magazine” radio show on KPFZ 88.1 FM.

Green discusses a wide range of legal and political news, issues and cases.

On Wednesday, Feb. 9, the topic will be PG&E's controversial SmartMeters.

Audience participation is encouraged for this discussion. The call-in number is 707-263-3435.

A seasonal soup of sausage, kale and white beans paired with Pinot Grigio from Robledo Family Winery, and Zinfandel and Syrah wines from Big Valley Winery, offered during the January 2011 cuisine scene. Photo courtesy of Lake County Wine Studio.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Shannon Michele of Cache Creek Catering and Lake County Wine Studio are presenting a monthly food and wine series featuring locally produced foods paired with select Lake County Wines.

The series is held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. It takes place this month on Feb. 11.

The per person cost is $15 and reservations are recommended.

January’s event featured a seasonal soup of sausage, kale and white beans (a vegetarian version was also offered) paired with Pinot Grigio from Robledo Family Winery, and Zinfandel and Syrah wines from Big Valley Winery.

A selection of delicious breads was offered by Cheryl Welch of Main Street Bakery in Kelseyville for sampling with the soup. The soup recipe was made with sausage from Inland Farms in Redwood Valley and kale from Full Moon Farm in Lakeport.

February’s event will feature sweet and savory appetizers made with locally grown and produced olive oils from Rosa D’Oro and Kelseyville Olive Mill.

Organic white popcorn popped in Kelseyville Olive Mill’s California Blend will present a delightful spiciness without any other seasonings.

Baguettes from Main Street Bakery in Kelseyille will become crostinis topped with roasted eggplant and cherry tomato made with Rosa D’Oro Tuscan Blend Olive Oil.

The wine pairing will be Rosa D’Oro’s Sangiovese. Citrus Cake made with Kelseyville Olive Mill’s Sevillano Oil that has a buttery flavor, will be paired with Rosa D’Oro’s Moscato.

For additional event information contact Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Cache Creek Catering at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Mary Ann Worth, seated, is presented with a Penny Pines Plantation by Ann Blue. Photo by Linda Pyers.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club has presented the 53rd Penny Pines Plantation to Mary Ann Worth.

Worth has been a member of CLTGTC for 16 years and has been a very active member.

CLTTGC supports the Forest Service by donations from their members.

For a contribution of $68 together with federal funds, the Forest Service will do the planting on approximately one acre of land that has been burned over or brush covered areas which are potentially productive timberlands.

CLTTGC supports the Mendocino National Forest. At present funds are being used in the Grindstone District to restore the Spanish Fire areas of approximately 5,000 acres burned in 2002.

The public is invited to participate in the Penny Pines program by contacting Penny Pines Chairman Ann Blue at 707-263-5854.

Contributions can be made to specific forest districts in honor or in memory of an individual or group.

The Forest Service will provide a certificate to present to the recipient.

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of the month (except July and August) at the Scotts Valley Women's Club House, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

Members, guests and all interested are most welcome. President Linda Waterstraat, 707-245-4731, invites interested gardeners to join the group.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District and California Garden Club Inc.

For information about the garden club, visit www.clttgc.org.