LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville and the Lakeport English Inn in Lakeport will host the next two signings and sales of the limited edition fine art poster created by local artist John R. Clarke for the 11th annual Lake County Wine Auction.

Clarke will be at the Saw Shop on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., during this summer’s

final Kickin’ in the Country street dance presented by the Kelseyville Business Association.

The following evening, Friday, Aug. 20, he will be at the English Inn, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., during the annual Taste of Lakeport presented by the Lakeport Main Street Association.

Clarke has created an original piece of art, “Beautiful Lake County-Ceago Vinegarden,” which has been reproduced by the sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance.

Proceeds from the poster sales, at $20 each, will benefit the nonprofit organizations and programs that have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s Wine Auction on Sept. 18.

Ceago Vinegarden will be the host venue for this year’s charity event.

The painting, currently on display at the Saw Shop, will be among the special items up for bid during the live auction portion of the evening, along with wine packages, wine tasting events, vacation getaways, local art, and a variety of goods and services, including fine dining and lodging opportunities.

The beneficiaries this year include five nonprofit organizations, the fine arts programs at five area high schools, nutrition programs at five senior centers, and two health care programs.

All of the recipients have demonstrated a great need in the community for the services and activities they provide.

The Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of wineries, wine grape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters founded in 2000, has contributed more than $771,000 to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community while promoting Lake County as a premier growing region for wine grapes.

Proceeds are derived from ticket sales, sponsors, live and silent auction bids, reserve wine vault entry, poster sales and additional donations.

More information about the Wine Auction is available at www.winealliance.org.

KELSEYVILLE – The Lucerne Elementary School eighth grade class is raising money to go to Washington, D.C.

The class will hold a spaghetti dinner and silent auction at the Kelseyville Lions Club, 4335 Sylar Lane, on Saturday, Aug. 21.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $8 per adult and $5 child, and $20 for a family of two adults and two children.

Please contact Danielle Wilfong at 707-349-7099 for tickets or more information.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The contestants in the upcoming Miss Lake County Scholarship Program pageant will have a car wash and bake sale at the Grocery Outlet in Lakeport this Saturday, Aug. 14.

The fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kathi (formerly of Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa) will be giving chair massages.

All donations will go toward the scholarship fund. For information call 707-277-0707 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

SACRAMENTO – A special exhibit honoring California’s State Water Project (SWP) has begun a year-long run at The California Museum.

Entitled “Extreme Engineering: The California State Water Project Past, Present and Future,” it will be on view through July 17, 2011.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary since voters in November 1960 approved the $1.75 billion bond measure authorizing construction of the SWP,” said Mark Cowin, Director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), which built and operates the SWP. “The California Museum’s dramatic SWP exhibit is a suitable recognition of the historic value of the SWP in the daily life of our state.”

The largest state-built and state-operated water and power system in the nation, the SWP provides drinking water for an estimated 25 million people and irrigation water for more than 750,000 farmland acres.

Designed and fabricated by DWR, the water exhibit graphically showcases the SWP’s huge delivery system.

The SWP uses reservoirs, power plants, pumping plants and more than 700 miles of aqueducts to store and transport water to public water agencies in Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, Central Coast and Southern California. About 70 percent of SWP water goes to municipal users, with 30 percent reaching farm users.

A big-screen flyover will give visitors a bird’s-eye vision of the system. Traveling from the headwaters of the Feather River to the nation’s tallest dam, at Oroville, and then over hundreds of miles of aqueduct on its way to Southern California.

Further, the exhibit will help educate and encourage Californians to make wise water use and conservation choices in a region where precipitation and water supply are often uncertain.

“Throughout history, water – one of California’s most precious resources – has played a significant role,” said Claudia French, Executive Director of The California Museum. “We are honored that DWR chose to partner with us on this important exhibit.”

In 2001, the American Society of Civil Engineers selected the SWP as one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th Century.

Located at 10th and O streets a block south of the Capitol, the California Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Admission: Adults $8.50, Students/Seniors (with valid ID) $7, Children 6-13, $6, and Children 5 and younger: free.

Online access can be found at www.CaliforniaMuseum.org.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) is celebrating its 35th birthday – that's 245 in dog years – at “Bone Appétit – A Celebration of Great Pairings” on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jean and Charles Schulz Campus in Santa Rosa.

This year's event features local wine and food pairings, a live and silent auction, puppies, celebrities and music from local sensation Wonder Bread 5, all showing their support to raise awareness for CCI.

CCI provides highly-trained assistance dogs to adults and children with disabilities free of charge, this fundraiser is a critical component to help us continue our work.

For more information call 1-800-572-BARK (2275).

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – With more than six million California students heading back to school, AAA Northern California is warning drivers about the dangers these excited young students, and newly licensed teenage drivers, add to the roadways.

“At the beginning of a new school year, children are often distracted by new books and friends, instead of paying attention to their surroundings,” cautioned AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “It’s important for motorists to pay extra attention when driving through school zones and residential areas.”

Although school zones legally require a reduced speed for motorists, simply following posted signs is not enough; paying attention to one’s surroundings while on the road is equally as important. Many youngsters have trouble making accurate judgments about traffic speed and distance, so drivers have to be particularly aware.

AAA urges motorists to abide by the following guidelines when driving near schools and in areas where children may be present:

• Slow down near schools and in residential areas. Pay particular attention near schools during the morning and afternoon hours.

• Look for clues that children are in the area, such as AAA School Safety Patrollers, crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds.

• Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children might dart into the road.

• Always stop for school buses that are loading and unloading students. It is illegal to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.

• Leave a little early so you are not rushed as you travel to work or school. Back to school often means increased congestion and longer commute times.

• Practice extra caution in bad weather. Drive with your headlights on, so children and other drivers can see you.

• Drive without distractions. Don’t use cell phones, eat, or attend to personal grooming.

• Be aware of teen drivers. Newly licensed drivers are not accustomed to driving in congested areas such as school zones. Watch out for unexpected driving behaviors like sudden stops or abrupt changes in speed.

For more information on school zone safety visit www.aaa.com/saferdriving.