LAKEPORT, Calif. – Making good compost successfully, in a reasonable amount of time in the climatic conditions of Lake County, takes more than simply throwing garden refuse and/or kitchen scraps onto a pile in your backyard.

The UC Master Gardeners of Lake County will hold a workshop on backyard composting and vermicomposting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the at the Agricultural Center, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, a wheelchair accessible facility.

Preregistration is required for this workshop as space is limited. A $5 materials fee is requested.

At this workshop, the Master Gardeners will provide instruction on how to speed up and troubleshoot the composting process, allowing you to produce your own premium soil conditioner for your vegetable garden.

To register for the workshop, or for more information, contact the University of California Cooperative Extension at 707-263-6838, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County 29ers cribbage club meets weekly for tournaments.

Join them every Monday at 5:15 p.m. at Cheese's Main Street Pizza, 145 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

The club is sanctioned by the American Cribbage Congress.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Debbie James, owner of Gaddy Shack Ranch in Kelseyville, is hosting a Trail Obstacle Challenge Saddle Series Sept. 20, Oct. 4 and Nov. 8.

Each rider must attend at least two out of three dates to qualify. This is a timed event designed to challenge both horse and rider with obstacles and tasks.  Judging is based on how well the horse and rider negotiate these obstacles (using American Horsemen Challenge Rules).  This is a 50% payback series in the Open and Amateur divisions only.  Best two out of three scores, with saddles to be awarded to the top Amateur and Open rider.  Prizes awarded for the other divisions Novice, Wrangler, and Legends.

For registration or more information about the Gaddy Shack Ranch Trail Obstacle Challenge Saddle Series, becoming a Series Sponsor, or interest in Vendor space for $25, go to.  http://www.gaddyshackranch.com/trail-challenge-saddle-series.html or contact Debbie James at 707-338-1014.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Oktoberfest will be held again this year from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, in downtown Lakeport.

There will be games and contests, beer and wine tasting, great food booths, arts and crafts booths, and music and entertainment throughout the entire day.

One of the day's highlights will be the Lake County Chamber’s “Dachshund Derby Dash.”

Want your dachshund to be a wiener winner? Enter your dog in the Dachshund Derby Dash, which will have a short course for the short-legged dachshunds, with an emphasis on safety. 

All dogs must have some dachshund, but need not be purebred.

There is a $10 entry fee per dog.

First place will award the title to your furry friend “2014 Weiner Winner” and his or her person will win $75.

The $75 prize will be awarded to the top dog in both the miniature dachshund and standard dachshund race. 

Costumes are encouraged and the best dog costume will also receive a nice prize.

The rules are simple: Vaccinated Dogs only. Dogs must be leashed at all times except while racing.

Don’t forget that the Dog Costume Contest is open to all breeds of dogs, so dress up your dogs be they Chihuahuas or Great Danes and bring them on down.

Need more information? Call the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Office at 707-263-5092.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. The Middletown Luncheon Club will hold an informational lunch at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The lunch will take place at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., behind the new park.

All ages are welcome and lunch is only $5 per person.

The speaker this month is Mark Rudiger, the owner of Lake County Websites and Computer Repair here in Middletown.

Rudiger's presentation is entitled “To Click or Not To Click: Safety on the Internet.”

You will go home better prepared to do battle in your continuing love/hate relationship with your computer and the worldwide Web.

Rudiger has more than 20 years of experience fixing computers, setting up networks, building Web sites and the like. He gives workshops on a variety of computer topics. His work is highly respected in the community.

The senior center will be preparing a delicious, healthy meal of Chicken Cacciatore, green beans and cottage cheese with fruit. Dessert and beverages are included. 

The serving group for the Sept. 17 Middletown Luncheon Club is the Coyote Valley Elementary School sixth grade science camp. Each year the elementary schools raise funds to send all of their sixth graders on a week-long camp.

Space is limited for lunch. Please make your reservation by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling the Middletown Senior Center at 707-987-3113; specify that you are with the luncheon club.

Visitors may also come to hear the speaker for free without buying lunch.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Redbud Audubon Society will begin its new program year with a documentary film that tells the inspiring story of four huge environmental victories for open space in Northern California – the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Point Reyes National Seashore, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and the defeat of the proposed Marincello city of 30,000 people adjacent to Bolinas lagoon.

The program will be presented on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Glebe Social Hall, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 4085 Main St. Kelseyville, starting at 7 p.m. with refreshments.

The documentary uses personal recollections from noted environmental pioneers, archival footage, period stills and breathtaking location shots to tell its stories.

Narrated by actress Frances McDermott, the film features such well known leaders as Huey Johnson, Dr. Edgar Wayburn, Amy Meyer, Stuart Udall, Peter Behr, Phyllis Faber and Gary Giacomini, among many others.

The San Francisco Examiner commented about the film, “Along the way [to these victories] there were threats, family rifts, political debate, creative maneuvering, and good old-fashioned people power. It’s hard to imagine such achievements today, in part because of the cost. Thank goodness, these particular battles won’t have to be fought again.”

Bay Nature magazine said, “It’s rare that we stop and think how these open spaces came to be. This inspiring story about citizen action and community organizing showcases the efforts of the prominent Bay Area residents who helped set the precedent for protecting open space and shaped the environmental movement of today.”

“Join the Redbud Audubon Society for an evening that will remind you of the precious gifts of nature we enjoy in Northern California. As Redbud begins a new program year, this film will inspire and energize you for the continuing work to be done by Lake County environmental organizations to protect and preserve the critical open spaces and habitats in our own communities,” said Redbud Audubon Society President Roberta Lyons.