KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Ever wonder what was served by the best bars in the Old West?

Taste the past, savor the present at the Ely Stage Stop on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., when docents host their next fundraiser event.

Join them to learn about and to sample the libations and tidbits enjoyed in the grand bars of the Victorian-era West.

Cocktails will feature recipes from the famous “Professor” Jerry Thomas, considered “the father of American mixology.” 

Thomas authored the first “drink book” ever published in the United States. Finished in 1862, the book collected and codified what was then an oral tradition of recipes from the early days of cocktails, including some of his own creations.

The book laid down the principles for formulating mixed drinks of all categories and established the image of the bartender as a creative professional; hence his nickname “the professor.”

Thomas bartended on both coasts and worked at the Occidental Hotel in downtown San Francisco during the Gold Rush years.

Perfectly paired small plates inspired by the grand Victorian era bar cuisine of San Francisco will be presented by Rosey Cooks, Lake County gourmet caterer.

Come learn, sip and taste some history. Proceeds of this Ely fundraiser will support the museum’s new blacksmith shop.

Tickets are $75 per person and include cocktail tasting and small plates with some additional surprises.

Guests must purchase in advance by Sunday, Oct. 25, as seating is limited.

Guests must be 21 years of age to participate. Please drink responsibly.

Call 707-279-0493 for your tasting ticket.

Support the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum, home of the Lake County Historical Society, preserving Lake County’s past, present and future. It's located at 9921 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

Visit www.elystagestop.com or www.lakecountyhistory.org or check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Shannon Michele of Cache Creek Catering and Lake County Wine Studio are presenting a monthly food and wine series featuring gourmet appetizers paired with select Lake County wines.

Locally produced foods are proudly featured as key ingredients in recipes created by Cache Creek Catering.

The series is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of each month.

The per person cost for the special October 'Exclusive Sips and Luxury Bites' Oct. 10 is $35 and $30 for Wine Studio club members. Reservations are required.

Oct. 10 will feature extraordinary wines.

The first course will pair Aliénor Cellars 2009 Sauvignon Blanc with Anaheim chiles with tomatillo cream sauce and shrimp with a flour tortilla on the side, followed by roasted pork tenderloin with raspberry vinegar and plum reduction sauce over creamy polenta paired with Ceago Vinegarden 2010 Cabernet Franc. 

The dessert course will be a cocoa nib biscotti with dark chocolate and blackberry Ganauche paired with Hawk and Horse 2009 Latigo Cabernet dessert wine.
 
Nov. 14 will be the next date to follow for the Local Cuisine Scene event with Lake County Syrahs paired with Thanksgiving traditional foods.

For reservations and additional information, contact Susan at 707-293-8752.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Star Chapter 442 will host a chapter ride on Saturday, Oct. 11.

The ride will be part of the 22nd annual Christmas Charity Fun Run to benefit Lake County senior centers, Lake Family Resource Center and other local charities.

A new unwrapped toy and $20 per person includes entry into the fun run as well as a special lunch being served at Robinson Rancheria at noon.

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Hillside Honda, 460 S. Main St. in Lakeport for registration, with kickstands up at 9 a.m.

All licensed and insured riders on all makes and models of motorcycle are invited to join the ride.

Visit the chapter at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Star-Chapter-442/146399068773126 .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's inaugural Californio Days was a great success despite last-minute date switches and short notice.

Approximately 400 people came to see the July 27 show, including many families with children. Another 100 participated as vendors, volunteers or performers.

The highlight of the event was the Fiesta of the Horse, enjoying its third year at Rancho de la Fuente.

A record number of acts made for a full and entertaining program with music, pageantry, fun and thrills.

Show producer Deb Baumann was pleased but not surprised by the creativity and dedication of the show performers.

“This area has many talented people with beautiful horses who just need a venue to show them off,” said Baumann. “Our original inspiration was those old Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland movies, the ones where the kids say 'Hey, we've got a barn – let's make a stage and  put on a show!' It's the same deal here – if we provide a venue, people are happy to come share their love of horses, and all their friends and neighbors can see what these magnificent animals can do.”

Following the horse entertainment there was food and wine served at the Barn, and a delightful performance by traditional Mexican singer Irma Lopez.

For the third year in a row, Rancho de la Fuente owners Frank and Rosanna Perez made their beautiful facility available at no charge.Together with Rancho Californio of Upper Lake, they co-hosted the event and look forward to seeing it grow in future years.

“It is our goal to keep this family-friendly, fun (yet educational) event free, to provide it at no charge to the public,” said Baumann. “In today's economy, even a modest admission fee could keep some people away.”

Rancho de la Fuente and Rancho Californio thank the many generous patrons whose contributions helped cover the costs: Balius Farm Miniature Horses, Highland Springs Equestrian Center, Highland Springs Trails Volunteers, Hooves & Wheels Carriage Club, Lake County Horse Council, Lake County Wine Studio, Rainbow Ag, RB Peters, Roni McFaddan, Seely Farm Stand, and Wildhurst Vineyards.

To see more photos and information about this event, visit  www.californio.us .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – When most people think of the Civil War, they think of battles throughout the South and perhaps Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.

But the northernmost Civil War action took place up at St. Albans, Vermont near the Canadian border, 150 years ago this month.

Jan and Lee Cook visited St. Albans and will lead the discussion about the St. Albans Raid at the next Redwood Empire Civil War Roundtable this coming Monday, Oct. 6, at 6:15 p.m. at the Tallman Hotel in historic downtown Upper Lake.

Two dozen Confederates slipped south from Canada and infiltrated St. Albans, Vermont in mid-October 1864.

They spread the word that they were in Vermont on a sporting vacation, all the while reconnoitering the banks and defenses of the small town.

They were about to execute the northernmost land action of the Civil War.

On Oct. 19, 1864,  Lt. Bennett H. Young and his men made their move.

In a fast, coordinated attack, they robbed banks, stole horses and tried to burn the town before escaping back into Canada.

They told their victims that they were going to treat St. Albans as Union forces had treated the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and western Virginia in the summer of 1864, where whole regions were devastated and left to starve.

The raiders seized about $200,000, wounded two civilians and killed a third.

No land was lost or gained at St. Albans and casualties were low, but the raid and its aftermath had international implications in the waning days of the Civil War.

The Civil War Roundtable meets once a month to discuss topics related to that war, and is attempting to review the war month by month. The group was founded to coincide with the Sesquicentennial of the conflict.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

For more information, contact Phil Smoley, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-264-4905, or Zane Jensen, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-349-6390.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – As the clock turns back on Nov. 2, we are reminded that winter is on its way, along with climatic conditions such as rain, snow, colder temperatures and less daylight.

Motorists often put off needed repairs until it is too late, and find themselves, as many other millions of drivers, calling for roadside assistance.

October is designated as AAA Car Care Month, and is the perfect time to get your vehicle’s seasonal checkup to maintain safety and maximize efficiency while on the road.

“The end of daylight saving time means that winter weather is rapidly approaching, which can be rough on your car,” says AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “This is a good time to have vehicle systems checked and perform important maintenance to ensure your car is in peak condition.”

During AAA October Car Care Month, AAA recommends a simple checklist to determine a vehicle’s fall and winter maintenances needs. 

Harsh winter conditions cause vehicles to work harder, particularly charging and starting systems, headlights, tires and windshield wipers.

AAA recommends that motorists:

– Clean any corrosion from battery posts and cable connections and wash all surfaces with battery terminal cleaner or a solution of baking soda and water. Have the battery checked by a professional to ensure it is strong enough to face cold weather.
– Have any engine drivability problems corrected at a good repair shop. Symptoms such as hard starts, rough idling, stalling or diminished power could signal a problem that would be exacerbated by cold weather.
– Replace worn windshield-wiper blades. If your climate is harsh, purchase one-piece beam-type or rubber-clad “winter” blades to fight snow and ice build-up. Use cold-weather windshield washer solvent and carry an ice-scraper.
– Inspect all lights and bulbs and replace burned out bulbs. Clean road grime or clouding from all lenses.
– Have mechanic check the exhaust system for leaks and look for any holes in the trunk and floorboards.
– Examine tires for tread depth, uneven wearing and cupping. Check tire pressure once a month when tires are cold, before driving for any distance. In extreme climates, a set of winter snow tires may be a wise investment.

Additional information regarding AAA recommendations for proper vehicle maintenance is available at the AAA YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3C5A6E04948E66B4 .