UPPER LAKE, Calif. – In July 1863, the Civil War had begun to go very badly for the Confederate States of America when they lost the Battles of Gettysburg and when the city of Vicksburg surrendered.  

But they were not yet finished.

One hundred and 50 years ago this month, they rebounded with an amazing counter attack at the Battle of Chickamauga, in northern Georgia, nearly destroying a major Federal army.

When the dust settled, nearly 35,000 casualties were reported.

This epic two-day battle will be the headline topic at the next Redwood Empire Civil War Roundtable on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 6:15 p.m., at the Tallman Hotel in historic Upper Lake.   

Local historian Zane Jensen will review the battle and lead a discussion on various "what ifs" that could have changed the outcome of the battle, and by extension, the future of the country.

Phil Smoley will open the roundtable with a  review of  many of the other events that occurred across the county in September 150 years ago during the Civil War.

Jensen has visited the battlefield numerous times and has done exhaustive research on the battle and its participants. He combines personal photos with archived pictures, animated maps and video to give a full multimedia presentation.

The Redwood Empire Civil War Roundtable was formed to honor the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War and typically meets on the first Monday of each month (September will be the first Tuesday due to Labor Day) to review the events that month 150 years ago.  

Admission is free, all are welcome.  

For more information, contact Zane Jensen at 707-349-6390 or Phil Smoley at 707 264-4905.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Clear Lake Performing Arts will present a free concert on Sunday, Sept. 8, in conjunction with its annual meeting and membership drive.

The concert by the Lake County Symphony Chamber Orchestra will take place beginning at 3 p.m. at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

The chamber orchestra, featuring soloist Mike Thompson, will perform works by Mozart, Vivaldi and Haydn.

Don't miss this free concert. Bring your friends and introduce them to the symphony. Learn about CLPA and the important role it plays in our community. New members are needed to help support music programs.

There will be complimentary refreshments, and wine and beer will be offered for sale.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of music and complimentary desserts. Seating is open, on a first-come, first-served basis, so come early to ensure a good seat.

For more information call 707-277-8172 or visit www.clearlakeperformingarts.com . The Soper-Reese is online at www.soperreesetheatre.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – During the Lake County Fair, many people seeking information regarding boating safety, new boating laws and other concerns visited the booth of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 of Lake County.

Visitors to the booth could spin a colorful wheel, answer the question on the wheel and win a prize.

Several expressed interest in signing up for Boating Safety classes and, also, many wished to learn more about the Flotilla after seeing the Flotilla Patrol boats out on Clear Lake assisting boaters.

From Jan. 1 through Aug. 21, Flotilla 88 has assisted 14 boaters, inspected and passed 64 private vessels, made 40 visits to marine dealers providing information brochures and other boating safety materials.

Overall, members of the Flotilla have contributed more than 2,000 volunteer hours which include administrative hours at the U.S. Coast Guard Island in Alameda.

SACRAMENTO – California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci announced three new Regional Administrators that will lead emergency and disaster response coordination efforts for the state of California.

“These individuals are extremely experienced and bring specific skills that will be leveraged to enhance our overall capability to prepare California for natural and man-made disasters,” Ghilarducci said.

Southern Regional Administrator Mona Bontty: There are 11 counties and two Mutual Aid Regions I and VI, within the Southern Administration Region. Within the region there are 226 incorporated cities that include two nuclear plants. The total population of all cities and counties in the Southern Region is approximately 21,648,506.

Inland Regional Administrator Eric Lamoureux: There are 31 counties within three Mutual Aid Regions within the Inland Administration Region. Within the regions there are 123 incorporated cities ranging in population ranging from approximately 200,000 to 500,000. The total population of all cities and counties in the Inland region is 7,181,010.

Coastal Regional Administrator Jodi Traversaro: There are 16 counties within the Coastal Administration Region which is the same area as Mutual Aid Region II. Within the region there are 151 incorporated cities. The total population of all cities and counties in the Coastal region is 8,090,270.

Eric Lamoureux has spent more than 20 years in state government. Since 2010, he has served as a Deputy Director for the Department of General Services’ (DGS) Office of Public Affairs. He was responsible for leading and managing all internal and external communications, as well as providing support to the Director on organizational development.

Lamoureux served at DGS as Manager of Media Relations until 2010. From 1999 to 2007, he worked for Cal OES as chief of the Office of Public Information.

Jodi Traversaro has worked for the state for more than 20 years. Traversaro comes to Cal OES from the California Department of Human Resources, where she oversaw training and performance management.

She worked for Cal OES from 2005 to 2008 where she served as the director of the California Specialized Training Institute, led the Public Information Office during the response and recovery for the 2007 Southern California Wildfires, chief of the Legislative Affairs Office and served as an executive duty officer.

Mona Bontty has served more than 22 years with the State. Bontty has spent the last year in Cal OES Southern Region as a Deputy Regional Administrator. In this capacity, she managed emergency planning and response activities for the Region.

Prior to Cal OES, Bontty held positions with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control managing public participation, mitigation, and remediation of hazardous cleanup sites.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Airmen's Association (LCAA) donated $200 to the Children's Museum of Art and Science (CMAS) to support their new Lake County Rocket Club.

Rick Long, president of LCAA, presented a check to Bill Bordisso, volunteer director and leader of the rocket club.

The LCAA is open to aircraft owners, pilots, and others interested in encouraging aviation, enhancing the airport facility’s contribution to the local economy, and ensuring that Lake County’s only public-use airport continues to thrive.

Lampson Field is Lake County’s local link of the National Aviation Transportation System.

CMAS is a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free art and science experiences and activities for our youth.

The LCAA has invited rocket club members to take a field trip to Lampson Field to learn more about airplanes, how they're made and how they fly.

The CMAS Rocket Club meets weekly after school on Thursdays at Taylor Observatory in Kelseyville and is open and free for any Lake County student in grades fourth through eighth.

Call Bill Bordisso at 707-279-0923 for more information.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The regular meeting of the Clearlake Planning Commission, set for Tuesday, Sept. 3, has been canceled.

The commission's next regularly scheduled meeting is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.