LAKEPORT, Calif. – When the Kelseyville High School varsity football team walks onto the Clear Lake High Schools home field on Oct. 25 for Bass Bowl IV, it will encounter more than just the Clear Lake football team; they will be looking down the barrel of a Civil War cannon.

The Bass Bowl Committee has announced a cooperative effort with the California Historical Artillery Society (CHAS) to bring Civil War living history to Lake County the week of the Bass Bowl.

“We wanted to have a Civil War cannon at the Bass Bowl to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War and of the founding of Lake County,” Bass Bowl executive director Phil Smoley explained.

“They needed additional event staff at their upcoming Civil War Reenactment in Duncans Mills,” said Smoley. “So we negotiated a ‘win-win’ deal where they will be getting extra staff help from Lake County for their ‘Civil War Days’ and they will bring an artillery team for the Bass Bowl to fire after each touchdown, and then do living history demonstrations the next day.”

On July 20 and 21, the quaint north coast town of Duncans Mills will become the fields of Virginia circa 1863.

“Civil War Days” is one of the largest reenactments west of the Mississippi. The event will give visitors the opportunity to interact with the soldiers and civilians of the Civil War and witness the camps of the Union and Confederacy.

Visitors will see how civilians lived and served with the armies of 1863, in what was referred to as the first "modern war." This will be an event that will not only serve as an educational experience, but an unforgettable trip that will delight audiences of all ages.

The Bass Bowl Committee committed to providing 30 “man-days,” or an average of 10 workers for each of the three days the CHAS needs help.

“Friday, the 19th, is the set up day, and then the next two days will be the actual event,” according to Smoley. “They need staff to help with setting up, parking, collecting entrance fees, hauling off garbage, bringing hay and water to the horses, and other needs. There will be plenty of time for event staff to enjoy the event and watch the battles. It’s light work, and it will be rewarding, educational, and it will be helping with Lake County athletics. We need volunteers to fulfill our part of the bargain. Ideally, we want to have local students help out.”

The “Civil War Days” event is just minutes from the ocean, along the Russian River. “The location is beautifully forested, with lots of hiking trails,” Smoley said. “We can use all the help we can get. It is the perfect opportunity for a family to volunteer to help while learning about history, besides making this year's Bass Bowl all the more memorable.

Volunteers and event staff will be camping next to the event grounds. To volunteer to assist in this event, contact Phil Smoley at 707-264-4905 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Branch 168 of the Sons In Retirement will hold its next meeting on Friday, July 12.

The group meets at Konocti Vista Casino, 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport.

This month's guest will be Sheriff Frank Rivero.

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who are pursuing the goal of enjoying their later years. It has 142 branches with 18,000 members throughout the state.

Anyone interested in learning more about Sons In Retirement is encouraged to contact Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee, at 707-263-3403 or to visit www.sirinc.org .       

NICE, Calif. – Come enjoy a dinner prepared by Deb and Duane Clarke, celebrating 10 years at the Sons of Italy Lodge No. 2537 on Saturday, July 13.

The dinner and dance will open with a no host bar at 5 p.m.; dinner will be served at 6 p.m. to be followed by dancing.

They are preparing red (meat), white (Alfredo) and green (pesto) pastas, meatballs, salad, dessert, coffee or tea followed by dance music.  

It will cost just $15 for everything, including a door prize.

Tickets will be sold at the door but please call 707-274-9952 for reservations of more than four.

There will be raffle tickets sold and a door prize, too; it will be both 50/50 and prizes.

This is a fundraiser for the club, as well as a membership drive.

Bring a friend, everyone is welcome.

The lodge is located at 2817 E. Highway 20, telephone 707-274-2244.

NICE, Calif. – The Upper Lake High School football team will hold a car wash on Saturday, July 13.

The fundraiser will be held at Sentry Market in Nice from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Donations will be gladly accepted.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The board for the Public, Education and Government – or PEG – cable access station, TV8, will meet on Wednesday, July 10.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Business items will include board member selection, consideration of a PEG business plan to present to the Board of Supervisors, programmer’s job description approval, a complaint from Jim Rickel, treasurer’s report, station editor for special events and a review of complaint procedures.

There also will be reports from the marketing and programming committees, and a staff report.

PEG Board members include Chair Denise Loustalot, Vice Chair Ed Robey, and board members Vince Metzger and Jo Bennett. One board vacancy currently exists.

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 p.m. 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 12 will celebrate an American barbecue menu with Lake County Malbecs.  

The opening course will pair new Olof Cellars Malbec release “Marauder” with an orzo and grilled vegetable salad, followed by lemon brined chicken with a Malbec and dried cherry barbecue served up with Chacewater 2010 Malbec (Silver medal winner at this year’s California State Fair).

The dessert course will be grilled pound cake and stonefruit drizzled with a citrus apricot glaze paired with Thorn Hill “Ice” dessert wine.

June’s event featured Lake County Rosés beginning with an arugula salad topped with hazelnut crusted goat cheese, fresh strawberries and strawberry vinaigrette paired with the 2011 Rhone Rosé from Sol Rouge, followed by a smoked duck crostini topped with eggplant and roasted red bell pepper tapenade with Olof Cellars 2010 Rosato di Barbera.

The final course was a savory herbed Pt. Reyes blue cheese shortbread paired with Aliénor Cellars 2009 Bordeaux Rosé.

Aug. 9 will be the next date to follow for the Local Cuisine Scene event.

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