Data from a NASA airborne science mission has revealed an immense and previously unknown canyon hidden under a mile of Greenland ice.

“One might assume that the landscape of the Earth has been fully explored and mapped,” said Jonathan Bamber, professor of physical geography at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and lead author of the study published in today's issue of Science. “Our research shows there's still a lot left to discover.”

The canyon has the characteristics of a winding river channel and is at least 460 miles (750 kilometers) long, making it longer than the Grand Canyon. In some places, it is as deep as 2,600 feet (800 meters), on scale with segments of the Grand Canyon.

This immense feature is thought to predate the ice sheet that has covered Greenland for the last few million years.

The scientists used thousands of miles of airborne radar data, collected by NASA and researchers from the United Kingdom and Germany over several decades, to piece together the landscape lying beneath the Greenland ice sheet.

A large portion of this data was collected from 2009 through 2012 by NASA's Operation IceBridge, an airborne science campaign that studies polar ice.

One of IceBridge's scientific instruments, the Multichannel Coherent Radar Depth Sounder, can see through vast layers of ice to measure its thickness and the shape of bedrock below.

In their analysis of the radar data, the team discovered a continuous bedrock canyon that extends from almost the center of the island and ends beneath the Petermann Glacier fjord in northern Greenland. At certain frequencies, radio waves can travel through the ice and bounce off the bedrock underneath.

The amount of times the radio waves took to bounce back helped researchers determine the depth of the canyon. The longer it took, the deeper the bedrock feature.

“Two things helped lead to this discovery,” said Michael Studinger, IceBridge project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. “It was the enormous amount of data collected by IceBridge and the work of combining it with other datasets into a Greenland-wide compilation of all existing data that makes this feature appear in front of our eyes.”

The researchers believe the canyon plays an important role in transporting sub-glacial meltwater from the interior of Greenland to the edge of the ice sheet into the ocean. Evidence suggests that before the presence of the ice sheet, as much as 4 million years ago, water flowed in the canyon from the interior to the coast and was a major river system.

“It is quite remarkable that a channel the size of the Grand Canyon is discovered in the 21st century below the Greenland ice sheet,” said Studinger. “It shows how little we still know about the bedrock below large continental ice sheets.”

The IceBridge campaign will return to Greenland in March 2014 to continue collecting data on land and sea ice in the Arctic using a suite of instruments that includes ice-penetrating radar.

Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The annual Lake County Fair Parade took place on Thursday night, officially opening the fair.

The parade wound its way through downtown Lakeport before arriving at the main gate, where Duane and Dorothy Furman of Scotts Valley, the parade's grand marshals, cut the ribbon to officially open the event.

See highlights of the annual parade and the groups and individuals involved in the video compilation above.

The fair runs through Sunday night. The schedule for the remaining three days is here, http://bit.ly/194FGRd .

Visit www.lakecountyfair.com for more information.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Big Read, a community literacy program, invites Lake County artists, writers and residents to participate in two upcoming gallery exhibits in October, representing themes and interpretations from this year’s ready selection, “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan.

The Main Street Gallery in Lakeport, a program of the Lake County Art’s Council, will be hosting a vibrant First Friday event in October in connection to The Joy Luck Club.

Local visual artists and writers of all ages are encouraged to submit original work, with a connection to the novel, to the gallery for exhibition by Sept. 24, in time for judging.

Written work is limited to two pages, and art of any medium, should not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches. Pieces need to be framed and ready to hang.

Ceago Wines will be featured at the opening exhibit on Oct. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with musical entertainment by Lindy Day and Kayla. The event is free and open to the public.

The Joy Luck Club explores and develops connections between mothers and daughters.

To participate in this community exhibit, portraying personal history, submit a framed photograph of maternal lineage from your family for a special gallery proudly hosted by The Lake County Big Read lead agency, the Lake County Office of Education.

The exhibit will be on display at the LCOE office in Lakeport during October, with a gallery walk and reception on Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Mother/daughter, sister/mother, mother/grandmother, aunt/grandmother, etc. are all options for you to contribute. Photos will be carefully displayed and returned.

The Big Read is a program of the National Foundation for the Arts, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Managed by Arts Midwest, Lake County has been awarded a competitive grant to support innovated reading programs in our community.

For more information, visit the Big Read/LCOE booths at the Lake County Fair, the Kelseyville Pear Festival, and the LCOE Web site at www.lake-coe.org . Stop by the Main Street Gallery for further art and writing contest details.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Project Director Robin Fogel-Shrive at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , for information on the mother/daughter exhibit, general information or to host a Big Read discussion or cultural event.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake County Public Services announced that the Konocti Regional Trail (KRT) docents will once again be leading hikes to the summit of Wright’s Peak on Mt. Konocti.

The first scheduled hike will be Sunday, Sept. 29.

There will be a total of six hikes open to the public.

Sign ups can be made through the Lake County Parks Office in Lakeport by calling 707-262-1618.

Hikes are limited to 20 people and fill up fast, so call early. Steady rain or unforeseen environmental issues may cancel the hike.

The hikes include a six-mile round trip hike up and down the mountain that is primarily designed for those in generally good physical shape. Appropriate clothing, footwear, food and water are important for participants.

All hikes begin at 8 a.m. at the main parking area located approximately three miles up the mountain after the pavement ends on Konocti Road, just past the turnoff to Mountain Vista Middle School.

The hike lasts about four hours and includes a stop at the Downen Cabin historic area in the canyon oak forest just below the summit.

Participants over 18 years of age, who sign a required waiver of liability as required by the County, will also be able to access the Cal Fire tower on Wright’s Peak for spectacular views of the Clear Lake Basin as well as Mt. Lassen.

Docents leading the hikes are Val Nixon, Mike Riley, Ed Dearing and Hans Dobusch.

The schedule for Fall 2013 is as follows:

• Sunday Sept. 29 (Docents Nixon/Riley);
• Sunday Oct. 13 (Docent Dearing);
• Saturday Oct. 19 (Docents Nixon/Dobusch);
• Sunday Oct. 27 (Docent Dearing);
• Sunday Nov. 3 (Docent Dearing);
• Saturday Nov. 9 (Docents Nixon/Riley).

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.

CLEARLAKE PARK, Calif. – Firefighters contained a wildland fire burning in Clearlake Park Friday afternoon.

The fire was reported at around 2 p.m. on Lakeshore Drive and San Joaquin Avenue, according to radio reports.

It was reported contained at nearly seven acres just before 3:30 p.m.

Cal Fire and Lake County Fire held unified command on the incident, with Northshore Fire also sending resources, reports from the scene indicated.

Cal Fire air tankers, air attack and a helicopter worked the fire, as radio reports indicated the winds were picking up.

Reports from the scene indicated resources were to remain on scene into the early evening.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force, along with several compliance checks in the same area resulted in seven arrests and the seizure of marijuana and several firearms last week.

Lt. Steve Brooks said that on Wednesday, Aug. 21, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for a parcel of property located in the 17000 block of Road 16 N 19 in Upper Lake.

The private parcel is located in an area commonly known as Big Rock, which contains private parcels within the Mendocino National Forest, he said.

On Thursday, Aug. 22, narcotics detectives served the search warrant. Brooks said they also were assisted by Homeland Security Investigators, Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers and Lake County Code Enforcement.

When detectives entered the property they located and detained 29-year-old Wesley Kyle Ewbank of Upper Lake, Brooks said.

During the search detectives located two marijuana grows which contained approximately 200 plants, according to Brooks.

He said Ewbank was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. The unpermitted structure Ewbank was living in was red tagged for destruction.

Brooks said narcotics detectives also conducted several compliance checks in the same area. The marijuana grows were discovered earlier in the year while conducting overflight missions.

During the compliance checks detectives arrested Michaela Desirae Weishaar, 23, of Boring, Ore., for possession of marijuana for sales and marijuana cultivation; John Edward Lynn, 38, of Glendale, Ariz., for marijuana cultivation; Erik Michael Keegan, 37, of Woodland Hills for possession of marijuana for sales and marijuana cultivation; Victoria Ann Parisi, 28, of Upper Lake for possession of marijuana for sales and marijuana cultivation; Mark Anthony Leach, 38, of Shelter Cove for marijuana cultivation; and Heather Elaine Slankauskas, 25, of Upper Lake for marijuana cultivation, Brooks said.

Narcotics detectives located and eradicated a total of approximately 1,500 large marijuana plants during the compliance checks, Brooks said. They also seized several firearms from the grow sites, including an AK-47 rifle.

Lake County Code Enforcement red tagged numerous unpermitted structures that were being used as residences, Brooks said.

Brooks said all of the subjects taken into custody were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

The California interagency effort fighting the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels urges boaters to remain vigilant over the three-day Labor Day weekend.

People who launch vessels at any body of water are subject to watercraft inspections and are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that comes into contact with the water before and after recreating at a waterway.

“Boaters play an invaluable role in preventing the spread of quagga and zebra mussels,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham. “Their continued vigilance will greatly help to protect our state’s aquatic resources.”

Quagga and zebra mussels, non-native freshwater mussels native to Eurasia, multiply quickly and encrust watercraft and infrastructure, and compete for food with native and sport fish species.

These mussels can be spread from one body of water to another attached to nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody, or via standing water from an infested waterbody entrapped in boat engines, bilges, live-wells and buckets.

To ensure watercraft are clean, drained and dry, many local agencies are conducting boat inspections. CDFW has posted a list of these inspections on its website ( www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel ) along with additional information about the invasive mussels and what people can do to help prevent their spread in California.

Boaters should call ahead to check for restrictions prior to visiting their destination.

To prevent spreading invasive mussels and to breeze through an inspection, boaters can take a few simple steps before arriving at a water body.

These include inspecting all exposed surfaces, removing all plants and organisms, draining all water, including water contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets, and allowing the watercraft to thoroughly dry.

Between launches watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather. These measures are essential to safeguard California waterways.

A detailed guide to cleaning vessels of invasive mussels is available on the Division of Boating and Waterways Web site at http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/QuaggaLoc.aspx .

Travelers are also advised to be prepared for inspections at California Department of Food and Agriculture Border Protection Stations.

Inspections, which can also be conducted by CDFW and the Department of Parks and Recreation, include a check of boats and personal watercraft, as well as trailers and all onboard items. Contaminated vessels and equipment are subject to quarantine or impoundment.

Quagga mussels were first detected in the Colorado River system in January 2007 and were later found in San Diego and Riverside counties.

They are now known to be in 25 waters in California, all in Southern California. Zebra mussels were discovered in San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County in January 2008.

Both species can attach to and damage virtually any submerged surface. They can:

• Ruin a boat engine by blocking the cooling system and causing it to overheat;
• Jam a boat’s steering equipment, putting occupants and others at risk;
• Require frequent scraping and repainting of boat hulls;
• Colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces, causing them to require constant cleaning;
• Cost the owners of these items a lot of money.

A multi-agency effort that includes CDFW, the Department of Parks and Recreation/Division of Boating and Waterways, Department of Water Resources and Department of Food and Agriculture has been leading an outreach campaign to alert the public to the quagga and zebra mussel threats.

A toll-free hotline at 1-866-440-9530 is available for those seeking information on quagga or zebra mussels.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Another Lake County Fair is under way.

On Thursday evening, the annual fair parade wound through downtown led by Duane and Dorothy Furman of Scotts Valley.

After arriving at the fairgrounds main gate on Martin Street, Dorothy Furman cut the ribbon to officially open the fair.

The fair once again offers exhibit halls filled with photography, artwork, crafts, commercial exhibits, garden displays and a great deal more.

There also will be a variety of musical acts on the fair's stages and exciting events at the main grandstands.

One of this year's fairs big exhibits is the display of G gauge backyard model trains from Movie-Mix Productions of Santa Clara.

The display, sponsored by Featherbed Railroad of Nice, covers nearly 2,000 square feet and features replicas of the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, and Denver and Rio Grande running on more than half a mile of track.

The carnival, provided by Midway of Fun, features a huge Ferris wheel dubbed the “Century Wheel,” which fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons said is twice as high was normal wheels. “It's 70 feet tall, so people will be able to see everything on the fairgrounds, in Lakeport, and across the lake to Nice and Lucerne.”

This year the bumper cars are returning to the fair, and there are the thrill rides like the Flying Bobs, Wipeout, Tilt A Whirl, Tornado, Phoenix, Kamakazi and the Starship.

Livestock shows will take place through Saturday, culminating in the annual Junior Livestock Auction, which begins at 1 p.m.

After the 2012 sale proceeds topped $300,000 in sales for the first time in the fair's history, organizers are hoping that this year's sale is another record breaker.

The fair continues through Sunday evening.

Prices are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60 and $6 for children ages 6 through 11.
Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day of the event.

A special admission program is in place for Friday, Aug. 30. Anyone who brings four cans of food to the gate between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. will receive free admission, with the food benefiting local food pantries through Lake County CAN.

Senior tickets are discounted every day of the event, and remain $6 for those over 60.

The Lake County Fairgrounds is located at 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Visit www.lakecountyfair.com .

The full schedule for the fair's next three days follows.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

FRIDAY, AUG. 30

Special attractions

– Carnival Pay-One-Price Day $25 purchase in the carnival.

– Walk on contests take place at various times throughout the day. Visit the exhibit buildings to join the fun.

– Draft horse wagon rides sponsored by Calpine, climbing wall and mechanical bull all at the Donley Barn.

– Aunt Mary’s Art Center, in Fiesta Park; look for posted times.

– Mickey the Clown, strolling balloon sculptor Fill-up and magician Ken Garr can be found performing throughout the grounds, plus much more.

Schedule

8 a.m.: Junior poultry and turkey show, Baldwin Pavilion

9 a.m.: Open dairy goat show, Alexander Barn Arena; Junior beef and dairy cattle show, Baldwin Pavilion

12 p.m.: Junior pygmy goats show, Baldwin Pavilion; Junior dairy goat show, Baldwin Pavilion

4 p.m.: Gates open; Mark Weston Band, Theatre Main Stage

4:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

5:30 p.m.: “Find Great Treasures” plant contest, Floriculture Hall

6 p.m.: Mark Weston Band, Theatre Main Stage

6:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

7:30 p.m.: Lake County Bomber Invitational, main grandstands

8 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

8:30 p.m.: Mark Weston Band, Theatre Main Stage

10 p.m.: Buildings close

11 p.m.: Fair closes

SATURDAY, AUG. 31

Special attractions

– Junior Livestock Auction and barbecue, held in the Baldwin Pavilion, starting at 10:30 a.m., auction at 1 p.m.

– Round Robin Showmanship, one and a half hours after the end of the Junior Livestock Auction.

– The Clothing and Textile display is open in the Theatre Building.

– Carnival Pay-One-Price Day $25 purchase in the carnival.

– Walk on contests take place at various times throughout the day. Visit the exhibit buildings to join the fun.

– Draft horse wagon rides sponsored by Calpine, climbing wall and mechanical bull all at the Donley Barn.

– Aunt Mary’s Art Center, in Fiesta Park; look for posted times.

– Mickey the Clown, strolling balloon sculptor Fill-up and magician Ken Garr can be found performing throughout the grounds, plus much more.

Schedule

10:30 a.m.: Junior Livestock Auction buyers registration and luncheon, Baldwin Pavilion

11 a.m.: Gates open

11:30 a.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

12 p.m.: Snake Alley Band, Theatre Main Stage

1 p.m.: Junior Livestock Auction, Baldwin Pavilion

1:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

2 p.m.: Snake Alley Band, Theatre Main Stage

3 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

4 p.m.: People’s Choice Wine Tasting, Academy Park; Snake Alley Band, Theatre Main Stage

5 p.m.: Michael Barrish, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Stage

6:30 p.m.: Amateur Talent Contest, Theatre Main Stage

7 p.m.: Michael Barrish, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Stage

7:30 p.m.: California State Finals Tuff Truck, Buggy and ATV Racing, main grandstands

8 p.m.: Twice As Good, Theatre Main Stage

9 p.m.: Michael Barrish, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Stage

10 p.m.: Buildings close

11 p.m.: Fair closes

SUNDAY, SEPT. 1

Special attractions

– Fiesta Latina Day

– Carnival Pay-One-Price Day $25 purchase in the carnival.

– Walk on contests take place at various times throughout the day. Visit the exhibit buildings to join the fun.

– Draft horse wagon rides sponsored by Calpine, climbing wall and mechanical bull all at the Donley Barn.

– Aunt Mary’s Art Center, in Fiesta Park; look for posted times.

– Mickey the Clown, strolling balloon sculptor Fill-up and magician Ken Garr can be found performing throughout the grounds, plus much more.

Schedule

8 a.m.: Open rabbit show, Mather Building

11 a.m.: Gates open

11:30 a.m.: The “E” Ticket Band, Theatre Main Stage

12 p.m.: The Cherry Road Gang, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

1:30 p.m.: The “E” Ticket Band, Theatre Main Stage

2 p.m.: The Cherry Road Gang, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

3 p.m.: Fiesta Latina starts, Irma Lopez, Theatre Main Stage; Konocti Klogging Kids, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

4 p.m.: 4-H and FFA Award Ceremony, Baldwin Pavilion

5 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

5:30 p.m.: Nuevos Abentureros, Theatre Main Stage

7:30 p.m.: Demolition Derby & Burnout Contest, presented by Lake County Tribal Health, Main Grandstands

7:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

8 p.m. Banda la Tequilera, presented by Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino

9 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage

10 p.m.: Buildings close

11 p.m.: Fair closes

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Based on an intensive investigation dubbed Operation Oakland Abalone Syndicate, California game wardens arrested 13 suspects in Oakland and Sacramento for harvesting sport caught abalone and possession for commercial sale.

It is illegal to harvest wild abalone for commercial sale anywhere in California.

Suspects arrested were Chinh Quan Le, 60; Khoa Dang Nguyen, 40; Hung Ngoc Quoc Vo, 41; and Toi Van Nguyen, 48. All four men are from Oakland and all four had previous abalone poaching convictions.

In addition, wardens arrested Hai Van Ha, 43; Duoc Van Nguyen, 48; and Nhan Trong Le, 46, all also of Oakland, and Andy Phan, 47, of Fairfield and Charlie Le, 55, of Alameda.

In Sacramento officers arrested Dung Van Nguyen, 40; Hiep Ho, 46; Hung Van Le, 42; and Tho Than Phan, 59.

“Unless it is stopped, poaching will degrade California’s abalone population over time,” said CDFW’s Capt. David Bess. “It ultimately affects the honest, sport abalone harvesters who follow the laws.”

Based upon surveillance, game wardens allege the men conspired to profit from the sale of abalone with a black market network of buyers in the Bay Area and Sacramento.

Game wardens expressed appreciation for the honest abalone divers’ patience with abalone report card requirements and abalone checkpoints. Both were an integral part of the investigation.

The suspects face charges ranging from felony conspiracy to multiple poaching-related violations.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week, following the service of search warrants, Lake County Sheriff's detectives – assisting the US Marshal's Service – took a Florida man wanted on a fugitive warrant into custody, and also arrested a Lucerne man.

Nathan Lee Steffen, 35, of Fort Meyers, Fla., and 31-year-old Charles Daniel Wilson of Lucerne were arrested on Thursday, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks said that on Monday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit was contacted by officials with the United States Marshal’s Service, who asked if the sheriff’s office would assist them with the service of a felony justice warrant on Steffen.

The deputy marshals and Lake County Sheriff's detectives were in constant communication while tracking the fugitive, who was eventually located in Lucerne, Brooks said.

On Thursday, detectives secured a search warrant for a residence in the 6000 block of 14th Avenue in Lucerne where Steffen was believed to be hiding, according to Brooks.

At 12:30 a.m. Thursday, while detectives were en route to serve the warrant, the fugitive entered a vehicle, which left the residence as detectives arrived, Brooks said.

Brooks said the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotic Task Force, along with the Major Crimes Unit detectives, conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle and took Steffen into custody.

Inside the vehicle detectives located a US Postal Box, which was addressed to an individual in Tampa. Steffen told detectives that the box contained between four and five ounces of marijuana, Brooks said.

When asked why he was sending marijuana back to Florida, Steffen told detectives he was just trying to pay his bills. Brooks said Steffen also told detectives that he was on his way to the post office to mail the box of marijuana when he was pulled over.

During the investigation, detectives were able to locate a large residential marijuana grow at the residence, which was secured until another search warrant could be obtained. At approximately 2 p.m. detectives secured the second search warrant and served it at the 14th Avenue address, Brooks said.

When detectives entered the residence, Brooks said they located and detained Wilson, who admitted to cultivating 10 marijuana plants located in the yard.

During the search detectives located 15 marijuana plants growing outside. Brooks said they also located 60 mature marijuana plants growing inside the garage.

When detectives asked Wilson about the indoor grow, he told them he wanted to talk to his attorney, according to Brooks.

Brooks said approximately 63 ounces of processed marijuana was located inside the residence in several different areas. All of the processed marijuana and the marijuana plants were seized as evidence.

Steffen was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales, the cultivation of marijuana and his out-of-state warrant, Brooks said, while Wilson was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana.

Both Steffen and Wilson were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Winery Association is bringing the People's Choice Wine Awards to the largest event in the area, the Lake County Fair, on Saturday, Aug. 31.

The wine awards provide the public with a way to taste and judge a large number of wines from Lake County wineries, eventually comparing their choices to those of a professional judge's panel.

The professional judging took place in July, and the winners of both the professional judging and the People's Choice tasting will be revealed at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lake County Fair.

With 22 varietals entered in the competition, the professional judges took several days to sort through each and select the top wines in a blind tasting competition.

A blind tasting competition means that the judges did not know which winery produced each wine, instead choosing their favorites based entirely by judging each delicious nectar against the other entries of that variety.

Attendees at the People's Choice Wine Awards will be able to taste the top wines in each variety, also in a blind tasting.

The attendees will record their favorite wines on a ballot. Once the tasting is over, the ballots will be tabulated. Attendees will then be able to find out which winery produced each wine, and how the people's choices compared to the professionals' choices.

The tasting and awards contest will be held in Academy Park, just inside the main gate entrance on Martin Street.

Tasting will be available from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with the winners announced at 8 p.m. Tickets for the People's Choice Wine Awards are available at http://peopleschoicewineawards.eventbrite.com/ and include admission to both the Lake County Fair and admission to the tasting event, along with a souvenir wine glass. The tickets cost $45 per person in advance.

Visit the Lake County Fair online at www.lakecountyfair.com  .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – With the Lake County Fair's parade set to take place on Thursday evening, the Lakeport Police Department issued an advisory regarding street closures.

Police said about 2,000 people are expected to attend the Lake County Fair Parade, which is the kickoff to the fair's opening.

The parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m., is expected to last approximately 30 minutes, however, police said street closures and traffic controls will begin at 5 p.m. and are not expected to be removed until 6:15 p.m.

The parade runs from the 800 block of N. Main Street, south to Martin Street and then west on Martin Street to the fairgrounds, police said.

Between 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., Main Street between S. Main Street and C Street, and N. Main Street, Ninth Street and Martin Street between S. Main Street and Estep Street will be closed to traffic for the parade, according to police.

Motorists are advised to use caution and watch for pedestrians when driving in the surrounding area and find alternate routes when possible.

Lakeport Police and Public Works staff will be on site to conduct traffic controls and provide for public safety.

The Lakeport Police Department can be reached at 707-263-5491.