Start your shopping early at the boutique, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 293 Seminary Ave.

There will be a variety of crafters and direct sales consultants with items for sale.

To be a vendor contact Dawn at 707-367-7726 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In addition to gold, everyone is invited to bring silver, platinum, diamonds, gold watches, any old worn or mismatched earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces, to be turned into instant cash.

Items will be tested and weighed and top dollar will be paid.

In addition to guests being paid “instant” cash, the gold refinery will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Lakeport Senior Activity Center Meals on Wheels program.

The gold refinery is fully licensed, bonded and insured.

This truly is a win-win program – instant cash and help for the Meals on Wheels program serving the community and many senior shut-ins in the Lakeport, Kelseyville and Clear Lake Riviera area.

For more information call 707-263-4218.

Community members enjoyed the beauty of Boggs Mountain near Cobb, Calif., along with the works of Edgar Allan Poe on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Courtesy photo.

COBB, Calif. – On a beautiful fall morning this past Saturday, Oct. 15, the Friends of Boggs Mountain joined in on the fun of the Lake County Big Read by coordinating an informative and thoroughly enjoyable outing in Boggs State Forest on Cobb.

Leaders Darlene Hecomovich and Boone Lodge began the morning with an engaging presentation on the distinctions between crows and ravens, which included bird calls, habitat and appearance details.

This was particularly enjoyed by the attentive local 4-H group of youngsters participating with their parents.

A reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem, “The Raven” was incorporated, followed by a discussion and sharing of Poe facts and trivia from the knowledgeable, intergenerational group.

Led by the expert guides, a two-mile hike up to the Calso Campground was educational as well as invigorating.

Upon arrival at this halfway point, the group was quite pleasantly surprised to discover delicious homemade cookies, local apple juice and other treats “mysteriously” delivered to the campground.

A stimulating round-robin reading of Poe’s short story, “The Tell Tale Heart” by the adults was both fun and thought-provoking, as the children played in the forest, searching for Lake County diamonds.

As the morning turned to afternoon, the group made their way back, with wonderful memories of a day filled with nature, literature, and new friends.

The Big Read is a National Endowment for the Arts program, in cooperation with Arts Midwest and the Lake County Office of Education.

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the Lake County Big Read Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lake-County-Big-Read/142212062540955.

For more information about Friends of Boggs Mountain, and their regularly scheduled hikes, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the group's Web site, http://boggsmountain.org/.

Wreaths are made of a variety of fresh greens on a 12-inch wire frame with a large wired ribbon bow (red, burgundy, gold, plaid, or print).

The wreaths cost $20 each, prepaid.

Only 150 wreaths will be made so orders are on a first come, first served basis.

A three-day workshop will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 2, to create the wreaths.

To place your orders, contact Leanne Harvey at 707-263-0850 or any garden club member.

Orders must be placed by Nov. 14.

Wreaths will be delivered the first week of December so they can be enjoyed for the entire season.

Wreaths are beautiful and garden club members use their plant knowledge to choose fresh greens that last and last.

The profits from this fundraiser empower the garden club to present a $1,000 scholarship to a student that is furthering his or her education. Monies also may be used for civic beautification or education and helping student's school gardens.

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

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 Helen Turley, 707-262-1721, invites interested gardeners to join the group.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Witches stew will be served family style with salad and bread at the club hall, 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

Dress up for the costume contest and win a prize.

They are serving dinner and dessert.

The bar is open for socializing at 5 p.m. then dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Enjoy dancing to music of the High Notes, right after the meal.

All tickets cost $15 at the door.

Everyone is welcome.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-263-1606.

Flotilla Communications Officer John McEwen receives a special award for 31 years of service at the Flotilla 88 Annual Tie Out on Friday, September 30, and Thursday, October 1, 2011. From left to right, Wayne Farnholtz, USCG CWO Curtis Barthel, John McEwen and Rich Thomas. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 of Lake County once again hosted the annual “tie out” on Clear Lake on Friday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 1.

Flotilla members from Humboldt-Del Norte, Mendocino and Sacramento counties attended as well as members from the Bay Area.

Also in attendance were USC Guardmen Chief Warrant Officer Curtis Barthel from USCG Station Group Humboldt Sector in McKinleyville and Chief Warrant Officer Danny Kilburger, Operations Training Officer stationed at Coast Guard Island, Alameda.

The day activities on Friday and Saturday were held at Braito’s Marina. The Konocti Yacht Club graciously allowed the Flotilla to use the new building located at Braito’s Marina for the classroom portion of the training.

The purpose of the tie out is training and testing of new crew members and coxswains.

Current members who have previously obtained their crew and/or coxswain positions were also tested for three and five year re-qualification.

The testing and training are done on the water. Because of inclement weather, night maneuvers were not performed and the USCG helicopter which usually comes down from Humboldt Sector during the training on Saturday was not able to participate.

Saturday’s activities ended with a banquet dinner held at Zino’s Ristorante on Soda Bay Road.

During the evening festivities, Flotilla Staff Officer Harold Hauck from Flotilla 87 of Mendocino County was “frocked” (received new shoulder boards) from DC Bruce Rogerson because he was elected to be division vice commander.

Also honored was John McEwen, communications staff officer of Flotilla 88, who was presented with a special recognition award for 31 years as a Flotilla member and is now retiring.

With another year of safety patrols, training, public education and recruiting new members completed , Lake County can be proud of its Flotilla and of the hundreds of volunteer hours contributed to help make recreational boating safer and are known nationwide as America’s Volunteer Life Savers.