UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Sharpsburg Campaign (Antietam to Northerners) will be the topic of the September Redwood Empire's Civil War Roundtable, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

The roundtable will meet beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

Master presenter Zane Jensen will do an audio/visual presentation entitled “Antietam: The amazing story of how a note wrapped around three cigars changed the history of the world.”

Jensen, who has personally walked the entire Sharpsburg (Antietam) battlefield, will share a unique perspective of the events and characters that played out in the drama that altered the course of the war, and opened the way for President Lincoln to attempt to free slaves in Confederate held territory through the Emancipation Proclamation.

Phil Smoley will review the Confederate invasion of Kentucky, and other goings on in the war during September 1862.

As a follow up to Janis Traub's excellent review of Robert E. Lee, Smoley will attempt to get the group into Lee's “shoes” during the process of his decision to either accept the commanding generalship of federal armies to lead the attempt to end the independence of the Southern people, or to share the fate of his people, defending them as best he could.

He will ask the group to answer the difficult questions: What would you do? Would your loyalty to the central government trump your loyalty to your home and family? What is the line between treason and patriotism? Was his oath to the central government conditional or unconditional? How off course must a government go before it becomes patriotic to resist it, if ever?

“This should make for an interesting roundtable discussion,” Smoley said, “and it should help us all appreciate the difficult decisions so many Americans were faced with 150 years ago.”

The Redwood Civil War Roundtable meets monthly to discuss the events that occurred 150 years ago that month to honor the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Phil Smoley at 707-264-4905 or Zane Jensen at 707-349-6390.

LAKE COUNTY – In partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Energy Training Center, the following free energy classes are being hosted by Lake County Energy Watch.

On Friday, Sept. 7, in Clearlake, “Upgrading Existing Homes for Energy and Durability” will be held at the Best Western-El Grande Inn, 15135 Lakeshore Drive from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This class is designed for contractors, residential builders and residential remodelers; however, everyone is encouraged to attend.

This class will focus on managing air, heat and moisture movement through enclosures. Additional topics include conservation and efficiency strategies, analysis and evaluation methods, renewable energy and case studies.

In Middletown, “Insulation Options for New and Existing Homes” will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center, 15500 Central Park Road.

This class is designed for architects, designers, contractors, home performance and HVAC/mechanical and insulation contractors, residential builders and residential remodelers; however everyone is encouraged to attend. Topics include rigid and spray foam insulation, vapor permeability, material and installation specifications, fire resistance and code requirements, safety and indoor air quality, and environmental impacts.

Registration is required for all classes, and complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided. You may find the registration links and more information on the Lake County Energy Watch Web page at www.energy.co.lake.ca.us , and select “Free Training Opportunities” on the left-hand side of the page, or you may register and find additional free training opportunities at www.pge.com/energyclasses .

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.

For more information about the Lake County Energy Watch program, contact Michalyn DelValle at 707-263-2221 or visit www.energy.co.lake.ca.us .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Wednesday, Aug. 29, is the final day to purchase advanced sale discounted tickets for the Lake County Fair, which provide discounts of 30 to 60 percent.

The fair runs Thursday, Aug. 30, through Sunday, Aug. 2, at the fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport. This year’s fair theme is “Summer’s Biggest Blast!”
 
Discounted tickets are available from a variety of sources in Lake County.

The discounts include single day presale admissions of $7 for a regular ticket and $3 for a child’s ticket. Season presale tickets also are available, with a $25 regular ticket good for four days, and a $10 child’s ticket good for four days as well.

Presale outlets include Foods, Etc. and Safeway in Clearlake; Hardester’s in Cobb, Hidden Valley Lake and Middletown; as well as Kelseyville Pharmacy, Riviera Foods and Rainbow Ag in Kelseyville; Bruno’s Shop Smart, the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce and Umpqua Bank in Lakeport; CJS Ranch Supply in Middletown; Lakeview Market in Lucerne; Sentry Market in Nice; Hi-Way Grocery in Upper Lake; and the Red and White Market in Clearlake Oaks.
 
Senior tickets are discounted every day of the event, and remain $6 for those over 60.
 
Regular admission prices at the Lake County Fair remain unchanged in 2012, with the same pricing structure as in 2011.

Prices are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $6 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day of the event. Children through age 11 are admitted for $3 on Thursday, Aug. 30, only, for “Kid’s Day.”

 A special admission program is in place for Friday, Aug. 31. Anyone who brings four cans of food to the gate between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. will receive free admission, with the food benefiting local food pantries through Lake County CAN.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A free mediation course will be offered in Clearlake beginning Wednesday, Sept. 12.

The four-week class will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for four weeks.

The first three Wednesdays – Sept. 12, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26 – will be at the Redbud Library community room. The fourth week's location will be announced.

The class will provide an introduction to the practice and benefits of the eight-point program of passage meditation, as well as information about free resources to help you get started in this practice.

This method of meditation, developed by Eknath Easwaran, can be followed equally well in any religion or in none. It belongs to no movement, and asks for no change of beliefs.

All are very welcome: there are no prerequisites, no preparation is needed, and you can just show up on the day.

The Redbud Library is located at 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An AARP Driver Safety Program class is scheduled to be held on Monday, Sept. 10, and Tuesday, Sept. 11.

The class will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave.

This is both a two-day, eight-hour course for those who have not taken this class before, and the four-hour refresher course for those who have previously taken the eight hour course in the last three years to get the automobile insurance discount. Check with your insurance company – some companies start offering the discount at 50 years old.

This course must be repeated every three years to continue your insurance discount.

The cost is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. Please be sure to have your AARP member number with you.

Instructors are trained volunteers. Class size is limited to 20 individuals on a first come, first served basis.

To reserve a place in the class call the Lakeport Senior Center at 707-263-4218.

SPRING VALLEY, Calif. – In response to the recent Wye Fire, a special meeting is being called of the Spring Valley Citizens Emergency Response Team.

The meeting will be held beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Spring Valley Community Center, 3000 Wolf Creek Road.

Organizers believe it’s imperative that Spring Valley residents form an emergency response plan for the protection of all the residents and their animals. The area had to be evacuated earlier this month in response to the fire.

Learn what you can do to help or to sign up for assistance.