KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The September Window to the Universe program at Taylor Observatory is titled "Future Missions - Juno, Mars 2020, Earth-based Missions, and Webb."

It's scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the observatory, 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.

Popular local astronomer Stephen Kane will present the program.

In his final summer lecture at the Taylor Observatory,Kane will describe these future missions in detail, including an update on Hubble's replacement, the spectacular Webb orbiting telescope.

Kane notes that for 50 years space probes and landing craft, most recently Mars Curiosity, all launched by NASA, have provided a wealth of scientific information on the solar system. 

The stunning images of planets and asteroids from these probes have provided visual information going far beyond the views from terrestrial telescopes. The deep space information from the Hubble orbiting telescope is legendary.

The NASA program continues with renewed vigor, promising to enhanced scientific information only dreamed of a few years ago. 

Admission for the talk, a planetarium show and night sky viewing through the Taylor telescopes is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under, and free to observatory members. 

For further information visit www.taylorobservatory.org or call 707-262-4121. 

Friends of Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium organizes the Taylor Lecture series.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa announced Monday that Len Marabella has been named as executive director by a unanimous vote.

The decision came after an exhaustive national search to fill the position left vacant in April and filled by Board member Marabella on an interim basis. He assumes the position immediately.

“Len had not put his hat in the ring for the position until he had been on the job for several months,” said Board of Directors President Joan Maxwell commented. “At that point we were midway through the search process. It quickly became clear that Len was the most qualified person for the role, possessing a passion and dedication to the works of Catholic Charities that dwarfed all other candidates. Len has the perfect blend of dedication to our mission and the business acumen and leadership to bring the organization to the next level.”

Marabella has a background in strategic management and marketing, including several years with JDSU as director of marketing for laser products.

He has a PhD in Chemical Physics from Indiana University and was a post-doctoral research associate at MIT. 

He and his wife Pat were honored as Catholic Charities Volunteers of the Year in 2013.

During his tenure as interim executive director, Marabella saw the expansion of the agency’s homeless outreach efforts, Alzheimer’s Respite services, immigration and citizenship work, parish outreach, and health and wellness programs. 

“I am so impressed by the caliber of people who work at Catholic Charities and the work that is being done for the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Marabella. “I just couldn’t walk away. I am honored to be working with our board, our staff, and our community partners in one day ending the cycle of poverty, hopelessness, and fear that our clients experience. This is not just our mission – it is our duty.”

Annually, Catholic Charities, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by community partnerships, grants, and individual donations, serves 15,000 men, women, and children in its 20 programs from Sonoma to the Oregon border. 

The agency was accredited in 2013 by the Council on Accreditation, and is the only accredited nonprofit in Sonoma County.

For more information, please contact Catholic Charities at 707-528-8712.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a presentation titled “California's Golden Era and the (Real) Californios” by local historian Deb Baumann of Upper Lake on Oct. 6 at 6:30 pm.

Fine wine tasting will be available for purchase by the taste, glass and bottle, and complimentary rancho snacks will be offered to those attending while learning about the diverse culture that defined California during the prosperous “Golden Era” of the 1820s and 1830s.

There is no admission charge.

Baumann has been lecturing on this topic for nearly 20 years, giving countless presentations to schools, libraries and historical societies across the state.

Her expertise has been sought by organizations as diverse as the Smithsonian Institute, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Santa Ynez Historical Society's huge annual Vaquero Show.

For years, her authentic 1820s-era mounted color guard enjoyed a prominent role in the front ranks of Santa Barbara's Old Spanish Days Desfile Historico (history parade).  

For the readers who are wondering why the word “real” in the lecture title is in parentheses, per Baumann, that is a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of a modern group called Los Californios, located in the central valley, which hosts a popular ranch-roping gathering every year.

“Most people, if they've heard of the Californios at all, they think of the modern roping people,” said Baumann.

The renewed interest in Old California that gave birth to the modern movement dates back to the early 1900s, which is also when Santa Barbara began celebrating that era with Old Spanish Days.

On Oct. 6, Baumann will explain who the original Californios were, why the Golden Era is so-called, the dark period in the mid-late 1800's when history was rewritten to cast the Californios in negative light, and the “Californio renaissance” that followed in the 1900s.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., lecture starts at 6:30 p.m. Space is limited. 

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

The Lake County Wine Studio is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch will meet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The meeting will take place at the Lake County Agriculture Center, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.

The group will discuss streambed restoration projects and the implications of the recent listing of the hitch as “threatened” under the California Endangered Species Act.

The draft minutes from the July 23 meeting are available at http://www.lakelive.info/chicouncil/pdffiles/7.23.14minutes.pdf .

For more information about the group visit http://www.lakelive.info/chicouncil .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The monthly meeting of the Green Party of Lake County will be held on Sunday, Sept. 21.

The group will gather from 4 to 7 p.m. at Round Table Pizza, 821 11th St. in Lakeport.

The guest speaker will by John Brosnan, candidate for the District 3 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors.

Come and get your questions answered.

There also will be no host food and drink.

Party membership is not required, meetings are free and open to everyone.

Visit the party's Web site at www.cagreens.org and click on Lake County.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-263-3391 and ask for Joanne.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake Family Resource Center is recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month throughout October with a variety of activities, including a 40-hour domestic violence volunteer and response training.  
 
Beginning Thursday, Oct. 2, through Saturday, Nov. 1, the training will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lake Family Resource Center is pleased to announce that Big Valley Rancheria will be hosting the training again this year at Konocti Vista Casino’s banquet room, located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport.

This training is free and open to the public.

Persons who successfully complete the training will be considered certified domestic violence counselors and will have the opportunity to volunteer for Lake Family Resource Center’s Domestic Violence Program.

Volunteer responsibilities can include working at the shelter, answering the community crisis line, supervising children during adult activities, co-facilitating support groups; accompanying domestic violence victims to court and much more.

This training is only offered once a year so call today to reserve your spot for this exciting opportunity.

Other activities during October include the “Because We Have Daughters” Advocacy Walk on Oct. 10 and the Purple Power Walk and Open House on Oct. 11.

If you would like more information about any of these activities please call Lake Family Resource Center at 707-279-0563.

Lake Family Resource Center is determined to raise awareness of the devastation that domestic violence has had in our community and will continue to provide education, information, advocacy and support to those who have suffered. 

Lake Family Resource Center provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength.

The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities. 

Call today at 707-279-0563 to find out more about what they offer.