One poet and one fiction writer from California will receive a $500 honorarium and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City, where they will meet with agents, editors and prominent writers, and give a public reading of their work in Spring 2010.

The winners will be selected by Karen Tei Yamashita (fiction) and Juan Felipe Herrera (poetry).

The contest is open to poets and fiction writers who:

• Have never published a book, or;

• Have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which they are applying, and;

• Have resided in California for at least two consecutive years prior to the date they submit their manuscripts.

An application must accompany all manuscripts and be postmarked no later than Aug. 31.

For complete guidelines and an application, please visit www.pw.org/about-us/california_writers_exchange_award.

The concert starts at 6 p.m.

The suggested donation is $5. Seating is limited.

Dixon and Werner present a warm selection of original traveling songs delivered with humor. Please come and show them a Lake County welcome.

They will be promoting their new album "Travelers" and will be interviewed on KPFZ 88.1F.M., June 4th on the “Bluegrass Traveler” show hosted by Don Coffin from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Vocalist Neon Knepalm and guitarist Mike Wilhelm. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE – Guitarist and vocalist Mike Wilhelm and vocalist percussionist Neon Knepalm will give a brunch concert in the courtyard of the Tallman Hotel/Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake on Sunday, May 31, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Appearing as their very special guest will be the award-winning American Indian actor, musician and activist Gary Farmer who will supply harmonica and vocal.

Knepalm was formerly lead singer with Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers whose current tour brings Farmer to Northern California.

A few highlights from his long film career include 2006’s “Disappearances” with Kris Kristofferson, “Adaptation,” “Smoke Signals,” “The Score,” “Ghost Dog,” “Dead Man,” “Dark Wind” and “The Brave.”

This combination of musicians and personalities is a truly rare event well worth experiencing.

For further information go to www.BlueWingSaloon.com or www.TallmanHotel.com.

CLEARLAKE – On Saturday, May 30, children, parents and adventure lovers of all ages are invited to take a special journey with local author Diane Arruda.

Arruda, of Lakeport, will read from her new children's book, “The Undiscovered River” beginning at 2 p.m. at Wild About Books, 14290 Olympic Drive, Clearlake.

Readers of Arruda's new book will become participants in an enchanting water-world adventure to a place where dreams come true, new friendships are created and Living Codes are discovered.

Golden Fish has a dream of a beautiful undiscovered river that she feels must be a true place but is somewhere far beyond the Great Pool where she lives. How will she get there?

One day to her surprise and joy, she receives a very special invitation from the Magnificent Whirlpool, the source of all that lives in the river and beyond. She is invited to become a part of this dream river, known to only a few as the Undiscovered River.

Golden Fish's journey is full of adventure and suspense. When Golden Fish finally passes through the tunnel leading into the Undiscovered River, she meets up with the most unusual water creatures unlike ones she has ever seen. One of these unique creatures guides her downriver to meet the Magnificent Whirlpool.

On this first journey, Golden Fish learns about the five Living Codes, Codes that are not written but are feelings of awareness about the things all around her. These wonderful Codes are hidden on pathways somewhere in the Undiscovered River but can only be found by true believers and dreamers such as Golden Fish.

Arruda has created her main character Golden Fish and the journeys she takes in the Undiscovered River through the momentum and discoveries in her own life.

“The Undiscovered River” is the first book in Arruda's Dream River Adventure Series, which invites the reader into the beginning of unexpected pools of understanding encountered by Golden Fish.

A professional artist with a degree in art history and woman studies, Arruda also illustrated the book and the series with her original and unforgettable artwork.

Goldfish cookies will be shared at the Saturday event.

For more information, call Wild About Books, 707-994-9453, or visit Arruda's Web site, www.goldenfishbooks.com .

LAKEPORT – Legendary Lakeport rock band Faded At Four is kicking off the summer with a very special acoustic show.

The show will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Molly Brennan's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 175 N. Main St., in downtown Lakeport.

There is no cover charge for this 21 and over show.

Known for intense rock with strong guitar solos and powerful vocals, Faded At Four is ready to entertain in a very different way.

Along with their popular originals such as “Unhero” and “They,” Faded will play most of their original songs and other acoustic cover songs that they have been working on for this special performance.

Fans also can check out their future shows at www.fadedatfour.com and be the first to know by joining their mailing list on their Web site.