KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – At one point the historic Ely Stage Stop building was slated for demolition, but concerned community members were able to save this local treasure and move it to its present site at 9921 State Highway 281 near “Kit’s Corner” in Kelseyville.  

Now open to the public as a museum, restoration continues and as part of that effort, members of the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club will undertake an exciting new civic beautification project this year in the form of landscaping the entrance and grounds.

Club members and guests recently began the project by planting trailing rosemary and marigolds in four newly constructed entrance planters.  

Wood for the rustic planters was donated by Mike Stevenson and built by CLT&TGC member Jerry Shaul, who also created the working landscape plan for the ongoing project using local wild and indigenous plants.

Those donating their time to place and plant the new boxes included Ginny Cline, Jo and Jerry Shaul, Greg Dills, Norb Yates, Helen Turley, Leanne and Jim Harvey, Linda Pyers, Susan Buckles, Cherie Schubert, and Carol and Hans Dobusch.

The club welcomes and encourages any interested community member to help with this exciting project; contact President Leanne Harvey at 263-0850 or through the club’s Web site at www.CLTTGC.org .

New members are always welcome; the club meets at noon on the Third Tuesday of the month (except July and August) at the Scotts Valley Women’s Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

CLT&TGC is a member of the Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The children’s nature education program at the Rodman Preserve will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18 starting at 9 a.m. at the preserve near Upper Lake.

The program is presented by Lake County Land Trust volunteer and nature education specialist, Elaine Mansell and is free and open to youth age 7 to 12.

Mansell, who used to lead the Junior Rangers program at Clear Lake State Park, takes children on a “Rodman Explorer,” adventure.

They will use microscopes, hike, look through binoculars to observe birds and everything else interesting, and become more aware of their role in “the big picture,” and become stewards of the earth, Mansell explains.

The purpose of the program is to direct children to be observant, utilizing all of their senses rather than ambling through the woods aimlessly, Mansell says. They will learn, enjoy, and commit to “leaving no trace.”

Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling Mansell at 707-263-1637.

Parents are welcome and can either take a hike on the Rodman Preserve property, or stay with their children.

For more information about the Lake County Land Trust and for directions to the preserve, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Soper Reese Theater’s Classic Movie Series continues in August with “American Graffiti.”

This nostalgic film will be shown on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the film starting at 6 p.m. and donations are graciously accepted for the classic movie series.

The film features the coming of age of four teenagers on their last summer night before college. Rediscover drag racing, Inspiration Point and drive-ins all over again in this nostalgic look at the 1960s. The incredible soundtrack brings you the most memorable rock 'n' roll hits of the era.

Grab a tasty dog in the Soper Reese Courtyard from the hot dog cart prior to the movie.

This special Lake County showing is part of a new Classic Movie Series recently debuted at the theater that runs on the second Tuesday of every month through December of 2012.  

Check the theater's Web site ( www.soperreesetheatre.com ) or call 707-263-0577 to see what other classics are coming up.

The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is a restored, historic, performing arts venue established in 1949 and seating 300 patrons.  

Run by an all-volunteer organization, the theater operates under the guidance of the nonprofit Lake County Arts Council.  

The Soper-Reese brings dance, music, plays and poetry to all members of the Lake County community and to visiting tourists.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A sidewalk sale and pirates bazaar, featuring vintage treasures and fabulous junk, gets under way in downtown Lakeport from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.

This first time event, presented by the Lakeport Main Street Association, features great shopping finds, boat rides and pirate grub at the Lakeport Yacht Club, Dress Like a Pirate Contest with all ages welcome, and a dunk tank with local celebrities ready to take the plunge.

Children can join in Piratey Face Painting and Feed the Kitty with Puss ‘N Boots & Capt. Jack.  

Salty street performances and a pirate shanty sing-along or two are scheduled throughout the day.  

Downtown restaurants and saloons will each offer their own unique “Green Season Grog” to celebrate the pirate theme.

All who come are invited to join in the fun by wearing their best pirate gear or search the bazaar to find a sash here and a scabbard there to make up a costume on the spot.

More information is available at 707-263-8843 or 707-263-9000, Extension 101.

For costume ideas query the Internet for “Pirate Garb & Gear.”

LUCERNE, Calif. – In an ongoing effort to support women in Lake County, Soroptimist International of Clearlake has donated $250 to the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, which serves mostly senior women.

The center is in need of several appliances to keep the activities going, including the senior breakfast.
 
Soroptimist International Clearlake is a nonprofit group open to women who are working, retired, unemployed or embarking on a new career.

An upcoming project for the group is the Violet Richardson Award, which is given to young women whose volunteer activities make their community and world a better place.

The award is in honor of the president of the first Soroptimist Club, Violet Richardson, a woman of action, whose indomitable spirit and sense of personal responsibility were demonstrated by her lifelong commitment to volunteering in her community.  

More information will be forthcoming from Judy Mullens, chair of the Violet Richardson Award.

Soroptimists meet twice monthly, with a business meeting on the second Thursday of each month and a program meeting with a speaker on the fourth Thursday.

Soroptimist is a term that means “Best For Women,” and the objective of the group is to promote the advancement of women through volunteer service to the community and to serve as a global voice on issues of importance to women.

Women who are interested in learning more about the organization are encouraged to contact Soroptimist President Wanda Harris at 707-987-9027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will celebrate the grand opening of the United Democratic Campaign Office on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Lake County Tax Service Office, 1210 S. Main in Lakeport.

The office will be open for business on Wednesday, Aug. 15, from noon until 6 p.m.

It also will be open 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Saturdays, from noon until 6 p.m.

There will be Obama/Biden buttons, bumper stickers for a nominal charge and later yard signs will be available for purchase.

In addition supporters can pick up yard signs, buttons and literature for Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman John Garamendi and Assemblymember Mariko Yamada at no charge.

There will be opportunities for supporters to help staff the office and make phone calls to battle ground states on the phone banks at the office.

Anyone interested can contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
                                             
Democratic Party meetings are held monthly and rotate from Lakeport to Clearlake Oaks.

Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.