LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Legislation enabling nonprofit Clear Lake Performing Arts and other similar organizations to produce and use alcoholic beverages for their fundraisers recently was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Assembly Bill 1425 was drafted by Assemblymember Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) to address concerns raised when the California Alcohol Beverage Control agency shuttered such events by charging that ticket sales to charity fundraisers was the equivalent of selling the homemade beverages.

AB 1425 is narrowly crafted to allow nonprofits to sell or auction off homemade wines and beers in fundraising events, subject to provisions that they be consumed only on premises and be appropriately labeled to prevent resale.

Since the Lake County event concentrates primarily on judging the products, and offering only tastes to the public, it conforms to the new law in all respects. The bill takes effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

“The Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival is the major source of funding for our Lake County Symphony and youth orchestras, as well as other youth music activities,” said Clear Lake Performing Arts President Ed Bublitz.

“This year many of our leading commercial wineries came to our aid when we received word of the ABC shutdown, and helped to keep us afloat, but having the amateurs back will certainly give our event a boost,” Bublitz added.

In its 10-year history, the Lake County event had raised many thousands of dollars to support CLPA programs.

Bublitz said they will start immediately to line up home wine makers and brewers from throughout Northern California to participate in the 2014 festival, which will take place on June 21 at Lakeport’s Library Park.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust is moving forward with its campaign to purchase a 31-acre parcel of mixed wetland and grassland property on Clipper Lane near Kelseyville as part of the trust’s Big Valley Wetlands preservation project.

The trust has already raised or has pledges amounting to $45,000 towards the total $225,000 purchase price and is looking to the community to help in its efforts.

Purchase of this parcel is part of an ambitious effort to protect the remaining wetlands and riparian forests between Clear Lake State Park and the southern edge of Lakeport.

The land trust has developed a conservation plan for the area that is currently being reviewed by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The plan calls for purchasing conservation easements on properties or direct fee-title purchases, depending on what willing land owners wish to pursue, explained Lake County Land Trust president, Roberta Lyons.

Once the plan is approved by the department, then even more funding will be available for other parcels in the area, Lyons said.

The Clipper Lane parcel, owned by George Melo, includes beautiful native wetland and shoreline forest as well as upland wet meadow, pasture and oaks.

The Lake County Land Trust holds an option – valid until March 2014 – to purchase the property.

Contributions so far have come from The Pitzer Family Foundation in the amount of $10,000, which was part of the first option payment, and a contribution of $10,000 from the Robert Morse bequest that was given to the Lake County Land Trust several years ago after the passing of this popular local resident.

Some individual board members of the trust have each pledged $1,000 and an exciting recent contribution of $20,000 is coming from John Sheridan and Andrea DuFlon of Berkeley.

John Sheridan has been a long-time supporter of the Lake County Land Trust dating back to the trust’s first work in purchasing the Rodman Preserve.

Sheridan contributed to both the Rodman Preserve project and also the successful effort to preserve the Black Forest on the slopes of Mt. Konocti.

Now both John and his wife, Andrea DuFlon have stepped up to support this recent project. They have dedicated their donation to both Andrea’s parents, Bita and Alton DuFlon, and John’s former in-laws, Ron and Dorathy Grew.

The Grews moved to Lake County in 1975 and were the parents of John’s late first wife. At one time, Sheridan owned property here in Lake County and has often said over the years that he has a real “soft spot,” for the Lake County Land Trust.

“John Sheridan has been one of our most loyal and helpful supporters for almost 20 years and with this recent donation has helped to advance the mission of the Lake County Land Trust in an extremely significant way,” said Lyons.

Sheridan is a furniture maker and woodworking teacher at the San Francisco WoodShop. DuFlon is a licensed family therapist and fiber artist.

As a fiber artist, DuFlon has a strong appreciation of the beautiful skill and artistry of the baskets made by the early Pomo people of Lake County.

“When I visit the area, I like to imagine life as it was – small villages along the lake; people making boats of tule; baskets of willow, redbud, bear grass and other plants; foraging for food and medicines and hunting,” DuFlon said.

“That the Lake County Land Trust exists to preserve the integrity of the lake and surrounding area with its abundance of plants and wildlife is a huge blessing for us and generations to come, and a way to honor those who came before us,” DuFlon added.

Although Sheridan and DuFlon live in Berkeley, they always manage to make it to the Land Trust’s fundraising events and other activities.

One such event is coming up on Oct. 12; it is the annual Lake County Land Trust dinner which will be held at the The Lodge at Blue Lakes this year.

The public is invited to attend the dinner to learn about the Land Trust and enjoy a beautiful evening that includes live music and a silent auction.

For information about the dinner call 707-262-0707 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Reservations are required with payment in advance. Tickets are $65 per person and include wine.

SACRAMENTO – As advocates rally across the nation today to urge Congress to adopt comprehensive immigration reform, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed legislation to enhance school, workplace and civil protections for California’s hardworking immigrants.

“While Washington waffles on immigration, California’s forging ahead,” said Gov. Brown. “I’m not waiting.”

Immigration reform advocates are rallying today in cities across the United States to call on the U.S. House of Representatives to give legal status to undocumented U.S. residents.

While gridlock continues in Washington, California continues to move forward on immigration reform.

On Thursday, Governor Brown signed AB 60, extending the legal right to drive on the state’s roadways to millions of Californians and in October 2011, Governor Brown signed AB 131, the California Dream Act.

The governor signed the following bills Saturday:

AB 4 by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) – Prohibits a law enforcement official from detaining an individual on the basis of a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold after that individual becomes eligible for release from custody, unless specified conditions are met.

AB 35 by Assemblymember Roger Hernández (D-West Covina) – Provides that immigration consultants, attorneys, notaries public, and organizations accredited by the United States Board of Immigration Appeals are the only individuals authorized to charge a fee for providing services associated with filing an application under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's deferred action program.

AB 524 by Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) – Provides that a threat to report the immigration status or suspected immigration status of an individual or the individual's family may induce fear sufficient to constitute extortion.

AB 1024 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) – Allows applicants, who are not lawfully present in the United States, to be admitted as an attorney at law.

AB 1159 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) – Imposes various restrictions and obligations on persons who offer services related to comprehensive immigration reform.

SB 141 by Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) – Requires that the California Community Colleges and the California State University, and requests that the University of California, exempt a United States citizen who resides in a foreign country, and is in their first year as a matriculated student, from nonresident tuition if the student demonstrates financial need, has a parent or guardian who was deported or voluntarily departed from the U. S., lived in California immediately before moving abroad, and attended a secondary school in California for at least three years.

SB 150 by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) – Authorizes a community college district to exempt pupils attending community colleges as a special part-time student from paying nonresident tuition.

SB 666 by Sen. Steinberg (D-Sacramento) – Provides for a suspension or revocation of an employer's business license for retaliation against employees and others on the basis of citizenship and immigration status, and establishes a civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation.

For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a number of young cats and kittens awaiting new homes.

The cats range in age from 9 weeks to 2 years old, and include tabbies and tuxedos.

In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).

'Mom'

“Mom” is a 2-year-old domestic long hair mix.

She has green eyes, is of medium size and has not yet been spayed.

She's in cat room kennel No. 44, ID No. 37995.

Male brown tabby

This male brown tabby is 5 months old.

He has a short coat and has not yet been neutered.

He's in cat room kennel No. 46a, ID No. 37986.

Brown and white male tabby

This brown and white male tabby is 5 months old.

He has a short coat and has not yet been neutered.

He's in cat room kennel No. 46b, ID No. 37985.

Female brown tabby

This female brown tabby is 1 year old.

She has a short coat and has not yet been spayed.

She's in cat room kennel No. 59, ID No. 37984.

Orange tabby

This male orange tabby is 14 weeks old.

He weighs 2 pounds, has blue eyes and has been neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 81a, ID No. 37441.

Female tuxedo kitten

This black and white tuxedo kitten is 9 weeks old.

She has gold eyes and has not yet been altered.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 83b, ID No. 37993.

Male tuxedo kitten

This black and white tuxedo kitten is 9 weeks old.

He has green eyes and has not yet been altered.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 83d, ID No. 37998.

Female tuxedo kitten

This black and white tuxedo kitten is 9 weeks old.

She has green eyes and has not yet been altered.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 83e, ID No. 37997.

Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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. – A large group of dogs ready to go to news homes is waiting at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.

Terriers, shepherds, and beagle and poodle mixes, ranging in age from 11 months to 8 years, are ready for adoption.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

Chihuahua mix

This male Chihuahua mix is of undetermined age.

He has a short tricolored coat. Shelter staff did not report if he had been altered.

He's in kennel No. 4, ID No. 38061.

West Highland terrier mix

This male West Highland terrier mix is 2 years old.

He has a long coat and weighs 19 pounds. It was not reported if he had been altered.

Find him in kennel No. 6, ID No. 38016.

'Buddy'

“Buddy” is a male terrier mix of undetermined age.

He has a short white coat, weighs 16 pounds and has been neutered.

He's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 38124.

'Bosco'

“Bosco” is a 6-year-old blue heeler mix.

He has a short red and white coat, weighs 52 pounds and has not yet been neutered.

Bosco is in kennel No. 10, ID No. 38063.

Mini poodle mix

This miniature poodle mix is 4 years old.

He has a curly white coat and a docked tail, weighs nearly 13 pounds and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 11, ID No. 38123.

German Shepherd mix

This female German Shepherd mix is 2 years old.

She has a medium-length black and tan coat, and weighs 73 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if she has been altered.

She's in kennel No. 13, ID No. 38108.

'Lexie'

“Lexie” is an 8-year-old beagle mix.

She has a short tricolor coat, weighs 42 pounds and has been spayed.

Find her in kennel No. 16, ID No. 38097.

Pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix is of undetermined age.

She has a short gray coat, weighs nearly 44 pounds and has not yet been spayed.

She's in kennel No. 20, ID No. 37919.

Male pit bull terrier mix

This male pit bull terrier mix is 1 year old.

He has a short brown brindle coat and weighs 64 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if he has been neutered.

He's in kennel No. 24, ID No. 38168.

Male shepherd mix

This male shepherd mix is 7 months old.

He has a medium-length tan and black coat, and weighs 44 pounds. It was not reported if he was altered.

He's in kennel No. 26, ID No. 38106.

Female Chihuahua mix

This female Chihuahua mix is 2 years old.

She has a short tan coat and weighs nearly 10 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if she has yet been altered.

She's in kennel No. 32, ID No. 37808.

Male pit bull terrier mix

This male pit bull terrier mix is 1 year old.

He has a short blue brindle and white coat, and weighs 68 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if he had been altered.

He's in kennel No. 33, ID No. 37809.

'Shatzie'

“Shatzie” is an 11-month-old shepherd mix.

She weighs 47 pounds, has a short black and brown coat, and has been spayed.

She's in kennel No. 34, ID No. 35594.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has detected propylene, a chemical used to make food-storage containers, car bumpers and other consumer products, on Saturn's moon Titan.

This is the first definitive detection of the plastic ingredient on any moon or planet, other than Earth.

A small amount of propylene was identified in Titan's lower atmosphere by Cassini's Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS). This instrument measures the infrared light, or heat radiation, emitted from Saturn and its moons in much the same way our hands feel the warmth of a fire.

Propylene is the first molecule to be discovered on Titan using CIRS. By isolating the same signal at various altitudes within the lower atmosphere, researchers identified the chemical with a high degree of confidence. Details are presented in a paper in the Sept. 30 edition of the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

“This chemical is all around us in everyday life, strung together in long chains to form a plastic called polypropylene,” said Conor Nixon, a planetary scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., and lead author of the paper. “That plastic container at the grocery store with the recycling code 5 on the bottom – that's polypropylene.”

CIRS can identify a particular gas glowing in the lower layers of the atmosphere from its unique thermal fingerprint. The challenge is to isolate this one signature from the signals of all other gases around it.

The detection of the chemical fills in a mysterious gap in Titan observations that dates back to NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft and the first-ever close flyby of this moon in 1980.

Voyager identified many of the gases in Titan's hazy brownish atmosphere as hydrocarbons, the chemicals that primarily make up petroleum and other fossil fuels on Earth.

On Titan, hydrocarbons form after sunlight breaks apart methane, the second-most plentiful gas in that atmosphere. The newly freed fragments can link up to form chains with two, three or more carbons. The family of chemicals with two carbons includes the flammable gas ethane. Propane, a common fuel for portable stoves, belongs to the three-carbon family.

Voyager detected all members of the one- and two-carbon families in Titan's atmosphere. From the three-carbon family, the spacecraft found propane, the heaviest member, and propyne, one of the lightest members. But the middle chemicals, one of which is propylene, were missing.

As researchers continued to discover more and more chemicals in Titan's atmosphere using ground- and space-based instruments, propylene was one that remained elusive. It was finally found as a result of more detailed analysis of the CIRS data.

“This measurement was very difficult to make because propylene's weak signature is crowded by related chemicals with much stronger signals,” said Michael Flasar, Goddard scientist and principal investigator for CIRS. “This success boosts our confidence that we will find still more chemicals long hidden in Titan's atmosphere.”

Cassini's mass spectrometer, a device that looks at the composition of Titan's atmosphere, had hinted earlier that propylene might be present in the upper atmosphere. However, a positive identification had not been made.

“I am always excited when scientists discover a molecule that has never been observed before in an atmosphere,” said Scott Edgington, Cassini's deputy project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. “This new piece of the puzzle will provide an additional test of how well we understand the chemical zoo that makes up Titan's atmosphere.”

The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. JPL manages the mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Bikers from around Lake County and beyond got on their bikes and headed out on the 23rd Konocti Challenge bike ride Saturday.

The annual event is a fundraiser for the Lakeport Rotary.

Ride Director Jennifer Strong said they had a record number of riders this year, coming in at just under 800.

She called the turnout “just phenomenal,” especially considering that another large ride was taking place elsewhere in the region.

The bright, fall day turned out to be a perfect backdrop for the ride, with visiting bicyclists noting the county's beauty and the great weather.

Video by John Jensen.

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. – “October” is derived from the Latin word Oct which means eight. In the old Roman calendar it was the eighth month in the year.

When January and February were added, October became the 10th month, but retained its name.

October is the month for the appearance of the water constellations: Capricornus, Pisces, Pisces Austrinus, Aquarius and Cetus.

Capricornus is one of the constellations of the Zodiac. The name means horned goat or sea goat. It is half goat, half fish, and one of the oldest of constellations.

Pisces is another constellation of the Zodiac. It is Latin for the plural of Fish.

Pisces is associated with the Roman legend of Venus and Cupid. They transformed into fish tied together with rope to escape a monster.

Pisces Austrinus is Latin for “southern fish.” It contains the star Fomalhaut, the 18th brightest star in the sky.

Aquarius is another Zodiac constellation. Aquarius is known at the water bearer.

Cetus is a whale. Greek mythology has Cetus as a sea monster that was slain by Perseus as he saved the beautiful princess Andromeda.

We have referred to the zodiac in this month’s column. The zodiac divides the path the sun takes through the sky into 12 equal sections. One constellation is associated with each section.

The zodiac and its constellations figure prominently in astrology as well as astronomy.

John Zimmerman is a resident of Lake County and has been an amateur astronomer for over 50 years. For more information about Astronomy and local resources, visit his Web site at www.lakecountyskies.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The federal government shutdown is forcing a local nonprofit to reduce its services.

Lake Family Resource Center Executive Director Gloria Flaherty said the nonprofit was advised that payment systems for its Child Abuse Treatment Program, Domestic Violence Program and Rape Crisis Center would be suspended effective on Friday.

“Due to federal and state budget cuts and cuts due to the sequester, Lake Family Resource Center no longer has the capacity to maintain programs during this government shutdown,” said Flaherty.

She added, “It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the partisan politics that created this shutdown, but I will say that in my opinion, creating a situation where services for abused children and rape victims are compromised is the height of irresponsibility.”

The agency will continue domestic violence services using state funds and will continue emergency response and crisis counseling in the Rape Crisis Center and Child Abuse Treatment.

People may access emergency services through the agency’s 24-hour phone line at 888-485-7733.

If the shutdown continues for some weeks, it is anticipated funding for several other of the agency’s programs may also be compromised, Flaherty said.

“We are very grateful to the residents of Lake County for their consistent support of Lake Family Resource Center,” said Bill Cornelison, a center board members. “Without local support, the agency would not be in a position to provide as many services as it does.”

Donations to Lake Family Resource Center are tax-deductible.

Visit the Lake Family Resource Center Web site at http://www.lakefrc.org/ .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Friends and family gathered early Saturday evening on the front lawn of Kelseyville High School to remember the life of a kind-hearted young man who died earlier this year as the result of a violent crime.

A monument and plaque on the school grounds – located at the base of his favorite tree – now commemorates the life of Forrest Seagrave, who attended the high school.

Seagrave, 33, was shot during a late-night robbery at Mt. Konocti Gas and Mart in Kelseyville on the night of Jan. 18. He died a short time later.

Seagrave's violent death rocked the Kelseyville community, with town halls and Neighborhood Watch efforts increasing in its aftermath.

In June, the US Attorney's Office charged Jonathan Antonio Mota of Kelseyville with Seagrave's murder. Mota remains in federal custody, awaiting trial.

On Saturday evening, the group remembered Seagrave for his kindness and humanity, which they urged others to emulate.

Former co-worker Veronica Smith-Sladek said she could not recall Seagrave saying anything bad about anyone.

Seagrave's brother, Nick Wainwright, told Lake County News after the ceremony that people always ask about his brother, and that the monument and tree dedication will help him be remembered.

Video by John Jensen.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – St. John's Episcopal Church in Lakeport is looking quite smart with new insulation, shingle siding and paint.

Many thanks to go to Sam Walters, Lucerne Roofing, Lakeport; Carl Turner, Turner Insulation, Kelseyville; Lyle Madeson, Madeson Painting and Decorating, Kelseyville; and carpenters Dan Critser and David Nylander, Kelseyville.

This stately Victorian building has been standing in the same place since 1898, when local Episcopalians and families from San Francisco purchased large parcels of land in Lakeport and other towns around the county.

Church ladies of the 1800s raised money to begin construction for a local building after initially traveling to Sunday services in Ukiah.

The Collier family original owned the Robin Hill area north of Lakeport. Through the Collier family roots in San Francisco, Mary Blackwood Collier commissioned brilliant young architect, Willis Polk, who a decade later was a chief re-builder of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake and fire.

Miss Harry Floyd donated the property in north Lakeport at the corner of Clearlake Avenue and North Forbes Street.

The church, constructed of redwood, has certainly stood the test of time. But the cedar shingles were no match for the west sun, which brings heat and elements of Lake County weather. Now the west side is again ready to face the rigors of the western exposure.

St. John's Church has long been recognized as an outstanding structure of Lakeport and is open for community meetings, plays, concerts, and social events. It is also registered as a local Red Cross disaster shelter.

Although the property, with its historic building, is owned by the parish and held in trust for the Diocese of Northern California and The Episcopal Church, it is solely maintained by the generous support of local parishioners and friends of the parish with annual pledges and proceeds of the thrift shop, St. John's Basement Boutique.

To help fund this recent expense, resident artist Ray Farrow is painting recycled shingles for sale. Home-baked goods also will be sold during the upcoming December concert series to help defray project costs.

The church building became a Lake County point of historical interest by California Historical Resources Commission in 1989.

In 2012, it earned an Award of Recognition for restoration and preservation by the California Heritage Council, California Trust for Historic Preservation.

All are welcome at St. John’s Episcopal Church Sunday services at 10 a.m., 1190 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

For further information, please call parish priest Fr. Leo M. Joseph, O.S.F. at 707-349-6563 or see St. John’s Web site at www.saintjohnslakeport.org .

Anne Barquist is St. John’s senior warden and project manager.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Following a successful exhibit opening of the mother and daughter photo gallery at The Lake County Office of Education, The Big Read will sponsor a book launch and keynote speaker celebration on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.

Beginning at 4 p.m., Big Read Program Director Robin Shrive will present host and speaker Bernie Butcher, hotel owner and historian, and follow with keynote speaker Cathy Kroll, professor of English at Sonoma State University.

Dr. Kroll will present her contemporary perspective on The Big Read novel selection “The Joy Luck Club” in a speech entitled, “Tiger Mothers, ‘Lean-In Mothers’ and Millennia’s – The Joy Luck Club’s Fierce Endurance.”

Guests will enjoy complimentary coffee and tea service. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to the LCOE Web site, www.lakecoe.org , and follow links to Educational Programs and The Big Read page and side bar. Space is limited.

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, in association with Arts Midwest.

To obtain more information on Lake County Big Read events, visit the LCOE Web site, or the www.NEABigRead.org site. Follow the “communities” link to Lake County.

Upcoming events include a Chinese Film Series every Thursday at the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum, a Chine sis Plant Species Talk and Tea at Star Gardens in Middletown on Oct. 12, a Chinese cooking class presented by Chic le Chef caterers on Oct. 15, and a chess tournament for kids at Burns Valley School in Clearlake on Oct. 19.

In Upper Lake, a food and wine pairing will be presented by the Lake County Wine Studio on Oct. 19 as well as a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at the Tallman Hotel.

Friends of Boggs Mountain on Cobb encourages lovers of the outdoors and readers of all ages to participate in a Paths and Passages walk on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 9 a.m.

The Lake County Library, K-12 districts, and community colleges are all collaborators in this year’s Big Read.

Visit the Web sites or telephone specific partners for more information, or email Robin Shrive at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .