LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Kitchen Gallery presents its culinary class schedule for the remainder of March featuring Esther Oertel, the “Veggie Girl,” columnist for Lake County News, culinary educator and owner of “The Sage Coach” and Ming-Chao Chang, an area resident versed in Asian cuisine.

Students will receive recipes and generous tastes of the dishes presented.

On Sunday, March 13, Oertel will present her take on Irish cooking.

Opening the menu is leek and parsnip soup with horseradish and frizzled carrots. This creamy soup is made with traditional Irish vegetables, and the “frizzled carrots” present an interesting garnish.

A shepherd’s pie made with Guinness (rich Irish stout) and lamb, one of Ireland’s most popular meats, also will be presented. To round out the meal, Irish burnt oranges, a flambéed dessert that hearkens back to the 18th century (and a favorite of poet Jonathan Swift) will be enjoyed. This class starts at 2 p.m.

On Saturday, March 26, you're invited to Ming-Chao Chang's demonstration of authentic Asian Cuisine.

Her class will include potstickers (dumpling), pork buns, Vietnamese rolls and green onion pancakes. Bring your appetites as this class is filling up fast and will start at 3 p.m.

To sign up, contact The Kitchen Gallery at 707-262-0422. The class fee of $25 includes the demonstration, servings of dishes presented and complete recipe booklet.

Sign up soon as spaces are limited and classes fill quickly. A vegetarian version of shepherd’s pie is available with advanced notice.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs at Gladys Street beginning Thursday, March 17. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Metal beam guardrail repair at the Coyote Creek Bridge will continue through Friday, March 11. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at the Kelsey Creek Bridge will begin Thursday, March 17. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

Highway 175

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from the junction of Route29/175 near Kelseyville to the junction of Route 29/175 in Middletown beginning Monday, March 14. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Metal beam guardrail repair at the Putah Creek Bridge will begin Monday, March 14. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Stewart Dirt and Aggregate of Fairfield.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 101

– A pavement repair project from the Robinson Creek Bridge to Uva Drive will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 4 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Southbound traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Northbound ramps at Lake Mendocino Drive (Exit 552), Calpella (Exit 555A), and Route 20 (Exit 555B) as well as southbound r a.m. ps at West Road (Exit 557), Route 20 (Exit 555B), and Calpella (Exit 555A) will be intermittently closed. Motorists will be advised to use an alternate route and may experience minor delays. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing 0.2 mile north of the Forsyth Creek Bridge on Sunday, March 13. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Repair of a slipout from 3.4 to 1.2 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

Projects are weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

Comics performing at the Kelseyville High School Sober Grad fundraiser in Lakeport, Calif., on Friday, April 8, 2011, include, from left, Tim Halderman, Pat McCoy, Marc Yaffee and Kenny Bob Davis. Courtesy photos.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A comedy night to raise funds for the Kelseyville High School Sober Grad Trip has been moved to Friday, April 8, from its original March 12 date.

The event will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the show to start at 8 p.m.

There will be four comedians for your enjoyment: Kenny Bob Davis, Tim Halderman, Pat McCoy and local comic Marc Yaffee.

A live and silent auction will be held throughout the evening event.

Beer and wine will be sold, and no one under 21 is allowed.

Presale tickets can be purchased for $20, at the door tickets cost $25 each.

Tickets are available at the Kelseyville Fire Department business office, 4020 Main St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; at Catfish Books, located in the Willow Tree Plaza on 11^th Street in Lakeport; or by calling call Teri at 707-349-3695.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Donna D'Terra of Motherland Botanical Sanctuary in Willits will be the guest on “Earth Wise,” on Friday, March 11, at 5 p.m.

The show airs on KPFZ, 88.1 FM, Lake County Community Radio.

Local Herbalist Catherine Hammond will join D'Terra in discussion of cultivation and therapeutic uses of herbs, including flower essences, essential oils and culinary preparations.

D'Terra is founder of the Mendocino County Herb Association and has been teaching classes for over 20 years. She is also a craftswoman and storyteller.

Hammond recently taught a reskilling seminar on herbs for Transition Lake County.

North Lake Garden Club Treasurer Sharon Thorne gave a presentation on daffodils at the club's February 2011 meeting in Lucerne, Calif. Courtesy photo.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The North Lake Garden Club will meet on Tuesday, March 22, at Lucerne Community Church, 5870 E. Highway 20.

The group will meet at 6:30 pm. for refreshments and sharing plants.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. with the topic being rhododendrons with speaker Jim Celesi of Fort Bragg. He will cover varieties and how to grow the beautiful plant in your yard.

The club always has interesting presentations on gardening. Last month, there was an impromptu presentation on the daffodil or narcissus flower bulb by longtime gardener Sharon Thorne, treasurer of the club.

She shared the wonderful life of the lovely blossoms popping up right now in rock gardens, planters and everywhere along our Lake County roads.

The cuplike blossom blooms from a bulb in whites, yellows, and other hybrid colors or rings of orange or green.

Often a favorite, the hardy bulb comes in 12 varieties with many hybrids. They often are used in arrangements or as a single flower in a bud vase.

The presenter, who has planted a hillside at her home with different types, offered advice on buying the bulbs, keeping them healthy, and planting directions.

Thorne brought in the different types plus a gorgeous bouquet of yellow and white split coronas, miniatures, large cup and trumpets.

North Lake Garden Club is beginning their sixth year and welcomes new members. It is a member of California Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc. and Mendo-Lake District. The club meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

At the April meeting they will have a presentation on an Oregon garden by Dr. Jim Xerogeanes of Mendocino College.

If you have a Northshore-area garden to share for the group's inaugural High School Scholarship Fundraiser Garden Tour and Tea May 21, have a public place where a tree should be planted or need more information about the garden club please call President Don Smith at 707-972-6023.

Young Malyia Jeffers, before the devastating illness that hit her in December 2010. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A fundraiser for Malyia Jeffers and her family will be held on Saturday, March 12.

The benefit will take place from noon to 6 p.m. at Guido's Pizzeria, 5440 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.

All-you-can-eat pizza and soda costs $10 for adults, $5 for children under age 5.

On Dec. 1, Malyia – daughter of Kelseyville High graduate Ryan Jeffers – contracted a serious bacterial infection that invaded her blood stream and caused all of her major organs to shut down.

She has been on life support and dialysis while the medical team worked relentlessly to save her life.

As a result of the illness, she has undergone amputations of both feet, her left hand and some fingers on her right hand.

More surgeries are scheduled and her family is seeking assistance paying for the growing medical bills.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Terri Felton at 707-279-4740.