HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Bob Chalk, candidate for Lake County sheriff, invites the community to an old fashioned ice cream social in Hidden Valley Lake on Sunday, May 18.

The free event will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Golf Course Green Room on Hartman Drive.

Bring your questions about the sheriff’s race for “Chalk Talk” and bring the kids for some ice cream and fun.

For more information visit Chalk's Web site at http://www.chalk4sheriff.com/ or his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bob-Chalk-for-Lake-County-Sheriff-2014/127117640789141 .

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH) at UC Davis are sponsoring workshops in communities facing water watering restrictions during the drought to assist landscape irrigation managers reduce water usage through improved system efficiency.

Local agencies and vendors also are participating.

One of those workshops will be held on May 9 will be held in the City of Santa Rosa’s Utilities Field Operations Training Center, 35 Stony Point Road.

The English session will run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a Spanish session from noon to 3 p.m.

The workshop will feature indoor presentations and outdoor demonstrations on understanding precipitation rates to reduce runoff; improving sprinkler distribution uniformity to reduce water use; improving controller programs during mandatory water restrictions; determining application rates and precipitation rates of drip/micro irrigation; understanding soils to reduce runoff or deep percolation, and understanding water meters to improve irrigation efficiency.

Registration is at www.ccuh.ucdavis.edu .

CCUH Executive Director Dave Fujino will be available at the workshop to answer questions.

For simple, everyday water conservation tips, visit www.SaveOurH2O.org .

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.

Last year’s guests were treated to displays of old fashioned aprons and teapot collections. This year 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 benefiting 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 local musicians. Enjoy a delicious seasonal box lunch from Rosey Cooks, local gourmet caterer. Her lunch was a big hit last year.

Bring your own wine to sip in beautiful Ely Stage Stop wine glasses that are always 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. 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 .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – There will be a Breyer Horse, Doll & Toy Show at the Lakeport Yacht Club located at 15 Fifth Street at the marina in Library Park on Saturday, June 7.

The show will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be vendors selling items plus raffle tickets for purchase with prizes donated from each table.  

Call Amanda Lyons at Second Time Around, 707-262-1855, for more information.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Edward Giannelli, one of Lake County’s ardent astronomers, will present the Taylor Observatory “Windows to the Universe” lecture at 8 p.m. this Saturday, April 26.

The talk, “The Human Attraction with Mars – The Red Planet” comes at a particularly opportune time with Mars at its closest distance to Earth in the last six years.

Weather permitting, Mars observations through the Taylor’s several telescopes will follow Giannelli's talk.

In addition there will be a full-dome planetarium show included in the admission price of $5 for adults, and $3 for children 12 and under. There is no charge for Taylor Observatory members.

The Taylor Observatory is located at 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville.

For more information, visit www.taylorobservatory.org . 

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Horse Council announces the Annual Highland Springs “Earth Day” Trail Work and Members Potluck on Sunday, April 27.

It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Meet at the Horse Staging Area inside Highland Springs Park at 10 a.m. to help with trail work, followed by potluck lunch and meeting from noon to 2 p.m., with special guest Gigi Stahl, Lake County Trails coordinator.

Bring your horse for a trail ride afterwards. Raffle prizes and the newest Lake County Horse Council Journal will be available.

The public is welcome.

Learn more about the Lake County Horse Council at www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com or call 707-245-9091.