KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The top for this month's “Window to the Universe” on Saturday, Nov. 16, will be Comet ISON.

The Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium will host the event from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Once thought to be an omen of significant events, comets have fascinated people for thousands of years.

Now Comet ISON is traveling through our solar system. Is it the comet of the century?

Join the Taylor Observatory as staff member, Janis Traub, talks about comets, what they are and where they come from.

Lake County's Window to the Universe public events are sponsored by the Friends of Taylor Observatory.

Events include a science topic presentation, a planetarium experience and astronomical viewing, and are held regardless of weather. Please dress accordingly.

Ticket prices are $5 per adult and $3 per child under 12 years.

Taylor Observatory is located at 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville.

For more information, visit www.taylorobservatory.org or call 707-262-4121 and leave a message. Your call usually will be returned within 24 hours.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Clear Lake High School gym was filled with activity on Halloween night as children and adults enjoyed the game booths, costume contests and people watching at the 34th annual Lakeport Kiwanis Halloween Party.

It was an unseasonably warm evening, much to the joy of all participants as they donned their costumes and continued the tradition of collecting candy treats and showing off their guises.

The group offered a big thank you to the Lakeport School District and Clear Lake High School for the use of the facility, and David Norris and staff for all the extra help they provided.

The games were fun for all thanks to the energy of more than 40 Clear Lake High School students who worked the booths.

Kiwanis also thanked California Scholarship Federation advisor Jim Rogers for coordinating their efforts.

Local farmers shared their abundance for decorations and treats, so a special thanks goes to Seely Orchards for the donation of apples, Renker Farm for pumpkins and corn stalks, and Mark Burch for the 545-pound giant pumpkin.

Thanks also went to Lakeport McDonald's for the donation of cups, Lakeport AAA for candy bags and UCP for the use of tables.

If anyone is interested in becoming involved in the community through Lakeport Kiwanis Club, meetings are every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave in Lakeport.

More information is available at www.kiwanislakeport.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Oct. 30, Lakeport Merchants opened their doors to trick-or-treaters, followed by a costume contest in Museum Square.

Judges for the contest included Miss Lake County Alice Crockett, Miss Lake County's Outstanding Teen Teylor Tobin and Bert Hutt from the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.

The contest was sponsored by Lakeport Main Street Association and Your One Stop Party Shop, and was coordinated by Lyle Coburn of the Party Shop.

Trophies for overall winners were donated by Disney’s Trophies and Awards.

Over 150 people of all ages participated in the costume contest, which featured “many creative and wonderful entries,” according to Coburn.

Winners by category included:

0-4 years old:

• First place: Luca Chavez, marionette
• Second place: Abby Van Unen, Clifford the Red Dog
• Third place: Layla Conger, little witch

5-7 years old:

• First place: Madison Waechtler, peacock queen
• Second place: Kailey Fowler, Evil Ivey
• Third place: Talan Guerrero, Harry Potter

8-12 years old:

• First place: Emma Mertle, fall princess
• Second place: Sayer Ford, Tonto
• Third place: Cheyenne Hayden, jester

Adult category:

• First place: Andrea Anderson, purple pirate princess
• Second place: David and Paula Fowler, 1950s black and white photo
• Third place: Donna Brewster, Minion

Family:

• First place: Brewster-Ramirez Family, Minions
• Second place: Aceves and Villines Family, Sonics
• Third place: Sheffer Family, skeletons

Overall favorites: Luca Chavez, Kailey Fowler and Emma Mertle.

BOGGS MOUNTAIN, Calif. – The Friends of Boggs Mountain group will host a morning of trail work and maintenance on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Community members are invited to gather at Boggs Mountain State Demonstration Forest from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Bring water, work gloves and a hand tool such as loppers or clippers. They also will have have tools available.

Meet in the Boggs parking lot, and carpool to the work sites, if necessary.

The forest entrance is located off Highway 175, just one and a half miles north of Cobb Village. Turn at the blue State Fire Station/Boggs Mountain Forest sign.

For more information call David at 707-928-0465.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – On Friday, Nov. 8, REACH Air Medical Services will be at the Lower Lake High Trojans last football game of the season, selling REACH for Life Memberships.

Memberships are $65 for an entire household.

Of each membership sold, $10 will go to Lower Lake High School's Sober Grad Night Committee as a fundraiser for the group's graduation event.

The junior varsity is set to start at 5:30 p.m., with varsity at 7:30 p.m.

The school is located at 9430 Lake St.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Horse Council held elections Oct. 28 and a total of 15 directors were confirmed.

New board members include Glenn Benjamin, Claudia Flood, Barbara Kroboth, Dave Lowrie and Heather Sentz.

Re-elected board members are Debbie James, Anna Ravenwoode, Mike Riley, Donna Thornton, and Virginia Vovchuk.

Continuing two-year terms are Deb Baumann, Scott Bennett, Jennifer Carson, Barbara Claiche and Randy Peek.

Virginia Vovchuk will continue as president and Anna Rose Ravenwoode was elected vice president. Heather Sentz was elected secretary and Barbara Claiche continues as treasurer.

The Lake County Horse Council, entering its fourth year, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the equine industry and recreation in Lake County.

Members include a wide range of local equine establishments and represent numerous riding/driving disciplines and breeds.

Generous volunteers in the horse council have made possible the annual Fiesta of the Horse in Lakeport, the Horse Faire at the Kelseyville Pear Festival and the Highland Springs Poker Run, in addition to trail development and maintenance activities and educational seminars.

Membership benefits include a quarterly journal publication and access to discounts at local suppliers and partner events in the county.

The council’s next general meeting and saddle clinic will be Jan. 11 in Hidden Valley Lake.

Visit the council's Web site at http://www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com/index.html for more information and a complete listing of equestrian events in Lake County. The council also has a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountyHorseCouncil .

For additional information contact Virginia Vovchuk at 707-245-9091.