KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29, the SPCA of Clear Lake held an adoption special featuring both dogs and cats in which prices for the adoptable animals were greatly reduced.

The Cat and Dog Days of Summer adoption event was prompted due to a recent influx of kittens and puppies bringing the facility to capacity.

People came from far and wide – some as far away as Fairfield – to have a chance to adopt these healthy, happy pets who had already been spayed or neutered and received their first vaccinations.

Staff members and volunteers worked with each family to assure that the temperament of each animal was a perfect fit for each family.

Both young and old adoptees had smiles on their faces as they left with their new furry family member en route to their new forever homes.

At the end of the event,29 cats and kittens, along with 10 dogs and puppies were adopted!

The SPCA of Clear Lake would like to thank the volunteers and staff that made this event possible, as well as Dr. Glenn Benjamin DVM, who volunteered his services of spaying, neutering and vaccinating, and Boehringer Ingelheim who donated the vaccines.   

The SPCA of Clear Lake also would like to remind everyone that microchipping your pet might very well save their life.

An example of how successful microchipping can be was recently seen on June 9 when the SPCA received a female pit bull at the shelter from the Clearlake Animal Control officer.

The dog was scared but very friendly. SPCA staff checked for a microchip on the dog and found that she had one.

Because of the microchip, it was determined that the dog’s name was Chloe and that her owner was in a city four hours away.

When the SPCA contacted the family, SPCA staff was told that Chloe had been stolen two and a half months ago from their home. They had been looking for her ever since and had contacted their local animal shelters and vet clinics during their search.

Chloe’s family was so relieved that she had been found and they were reunited with her once more on June 11.

If your pet hasn't been microchipped, the SPCA urges you to consider this option. It is only $25 and that is for the life of your pet. No annual charges or membership fees. You can't put a price on peace of mind.

Microchipping is done the third Saturday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m., along with vaccinations and various animal testing.

The SPCA of Clear Lake also holds low cost weekly spay/neuter clinics and encourages everyone to participate to help reduce the number of homeless pets.

Visit the SPCA of Clear Lake at 8025 Highway 29 in Kelseyville or call them at 707-279-1400 for more information.

Brenda Crandall is press information officer for the SPCA of Clear Lake Board of Directors.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The movie “Cold Mountain” opens up to a battlefield scene during the Siege of Petersburg during the Civil War.

Stalemated and hoping for a breakthrough to end the war, the Union army dug a tunnel under “no-mans land” and made an underground cavern under Confederate lines in which they filled with tons of explosives.

Early one morning 150 years ago this month, they set off the explosives, blowing a huge whole in the Confederate line, killing, maiming, and burying hundreds of men.

What followed is known to history as the “Battle of the Crater.”

Zane Jensen will go into detail regarding this gruesome and tragic event, and explain the circumstances leading up to it, at the next Redwood Empire Civil War Roundtable on Monday, July 7, at 6:15 p.m. at the Tallman Hotel in historic Upper Lake.  

Jensen will utilize a multimedia presentation full of pictures and maps to help attendees understand what really happened in back in 1864, and how “Cold Mountain” captured the scene accurately (other than the movie shows it happened early dawn, when in reality it was still dark).

The roundtable meets monthly and is attempting to follow the Civil War month by month to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the War.  

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.  

The information is presented in a manner that everyone from novice to expert will find interesting.

For more information, contact Phil Smoley at 707-349-1008 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or Zane Jensen at 707-349-6360 and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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 is $25 and $20 for Wine Studio club members. Reservations are required.

July 11 will feature Chacewater wines with a Pacific Rim-inspired menu.

The first course will be a citrus prawn hand roll with rice noodles paired with the 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, followed by fiery Thai beef salad paired with the 2013 Syrah Rosé.

The dessert course will be a coconut cake with mango lime creme paired with the 2013 Orange Muscat.

Ryan Kriken from the Chacewater tasting room will be on site to talk about the wines with guests.

Aug. 8 will be the next date to follow for the Local Cuisine Scene event with local farm stand favorites paired with new summer releases.

For reservations and additional information, call 707-293-8752.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dr. Glenn Benjamin of Upper Lake has been elected as the Lake County Horse Council’s interim president, following the resignation of Virginia Vovchuk.

Dr. Benjamin, Cornell University graduate and practicing veterinarian for 52 years, began his career in California as a restorative equine surgeon.

One of Safari West’s founders in Santa Rosa, and proud owner of a herd of Percherons, Benjamin, and his wife Dana DiRicco, care for and show their beautiful draft horses all over the Western U.S. and Canada, and among the herd are grand champions and reserve champions at Grass Valley and Calgary competitions.

Active in the SPCA and local Farm Bureau, Benjamin is a hard-working advocate for horses and other animals in Lake County.

Virginia Vovchuk leaves the board of directors after leading the organization since November 2012.

She will continue her volunteer support of the Horse Council, and retains a place on the Westside Community Park Board, working towards the development of a community equestrian center in Lakeport.

In the last year and a half, LCHC reached a total of 150 memberships, and the board’s fundraising efforts doubled revenues for the nonprofit Horse Council, enabling sponsorship of local equestrian activities.

A dedicated group of volunteers was responsible for organizing three major events that made LCHC a recognized organization in the community: The Fiesta of the Horse, the Horse Faire at Kelseyville’s Pear Festival and the Highland Springs Poker Run.

LCHC became a member of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, furthering its partnerships with local businesses and building awareness through marketing.

The LCHC Web site and equine calendar were relaunched and improved. A grant from AQHA and Tractor Supply made possible important trail preservation work at Highland Springs.

The Horse Council was founded in 2009 by a group of equine enthusiasts representing a variety of disciplines and interests.

They agreed on a common set of goals and articulated their mission as follows:

• Promote and preserve the horse as agriculture, industry and recreation;
• Inform the public about horse community goals, projects and events;
• Promote educational programs for the horse industry;
• Support private and public equine facilities and activities;
• Serve as a liaison between the horse industry, the community, and government agencies;
• Promote all aspects of the equine industry.

Go to www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com for more information and the calendar.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Due to the creative work of a few individuals in the community and the financial support of local businesses, fireworks will be happening at the Ukiah and Lakeport Speedways this weekend.

Fireworks on the Fourth of July in Ukiah is a memory for most Ukiah residents. Because of the daunting task of making all of the arrangements and providing the thousands of dollars in capital needed, most efforts to bring the fireworks back have lost momentum.  

Presented by Ukiah Ford and Hampton Inn of Ukiah with support from Furia Construction. Mendo Lake Credit Union, Ukiah Daily Journal, Max 93.5 FM, 94.5 Kwine, Advantage Towing and Transportation, Kelseyville Lumber, KXBX and True Country 103.3, fireworks will be taking place at dusk at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds on Friday, July 4, and at the Lakeport Speedway on Saturday, July 5.

Engines will be revving Friday in Ukiah for “Blast From The Past” Car Racing and Saturday for the Deake Lyndall Memorial Race.

Divisions include, Bombers, Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Jammers, Bandos, Legends and Outlaws.

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. and Racing will begin at 5 p.m. with the exciting ground show fireworks will take place at dusk both nights.

Tickets are $14 for adults, seniors and students $12, children 6 to 11 $8 and children 5 and under are admitted free. Family packs with two adults and three children’s admittance can be purchased for $30.

In recognition of their service and sacrifice, first responders and members of military with proper ID will be admitted for free.

Race promoter David Furia has been the mastermind behind bringing the fireworks to the speedways. With the support and assistance of Jennifer Seward and Mary Chadwick the groundwork has been laid for a not-to-miss patriotic celebration.

Furia is excited about this years show and said, “The ground show is an incredible in your face display of fireworks and pyrotechnics. The style of fireworks that will be presented will astound and amaze every person in the grandstands. This will be the fireworks show that will make people wish they had been there.”

Avoid the long drive home, keep fireworks in our community and support the local businesses that have brought fireworks home again. Make plans now to attend a night of racing and fireworks at the Ukiah Speedway Blast From The Past Races July 4 and July 5 at the Lakeport Speedway Deake Lyndall Memorial Race.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club met at the Buckingham clubhouse on Tuesday, June 17, to install its new club officers.

Nance Benkelman, installing officer, installed Marva Brandt as the club's president.

Members of Brandt's leadership team are Debra Watson and Susan Buckles, vice presidents; Helen
Turley, treasurer; Michelle Wisler, secretary; and Ginny Cline, parliamentarian.

Forty members and friends enjoyed food, fun and fellowship while partying on beautiful Clear Lake.  

Brandt and her team promise an exciting year for the membership and those that have been waiting for the experience to “Bloom, Believe and Befriend.”

For more information call Marva Brandt at 707-279-1625.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of the Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Clubs Inc. Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.