Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Robinson Rancheria of Nice has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to construct a road approach near Reclamation Cutoff. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– A pavement repair project from the junction of Routes 20/53 to the North Fork Cache Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to noon, weekdays. In two-lane sections, one-way traffic control will be in effect and motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. In three-lane sections, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

Highway 29

– A pavement repair project from the Lake/Napa County line to Spruce Grove Road will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 53

– Highway widening from 40th Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Sierra Equipment Rental of Glenn.

Highway 175

– A pavement repair project from the Lake/Mendocino County line to the junction of Routes 29/175 in Kelseyville will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 281

– Clear Lake Riviera Community Association of Kelseyville has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit to pave a road approach near Broadmoor Way. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at the Big River Bridge on Tuesday, Oct. 4, and Wednesday, Oct. 5. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Installation of a roundabout at Simpson Lane will continue. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Fedco Construction Inc., of Santa Rosa.

– Storm damage repairs near the Union Landing Viaduct will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Valentine Corporation of San Rafael.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at the Hopland Overhead Bridge beginning Thursday, Oct. 6. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Installation of cable median barrier from the El Roble Overcrossing to the junction of Routes 20/101 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Ghilotti Brothers of San Rafael.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at the Moss Cove Rest Area on Monday, Oct. 3. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The rest area will be closed.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Big Trails Drive to the southern Long Valley Creek Bridge on Monday, Oct. 3. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Construction of retaining walls from Bell Springs Road to 0.7 mile south of the Cummins Road Undercrossing will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – J F Shea Construction Inc. of Redding.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Confusion Hill to the Humboldt/Mendocino County line. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 128

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at various locations from the junction of Routes 1/128 to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line beginning Monday, Oct. 3. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– A pavement repair project from Philo Greenwood Road to Philo will resume Monday, Oct. 3. Work hours are 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction Inc. of Ukiah.

– Culvert repairs from 0.6 to 1.3 miles east of Mountain House Road will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

Highway 175

– Ashlin Pacific Construction of Petaluma has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work just west of Harrison Street beginning Monday, Oct. 3. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 253

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at various locations from the junction of Routes 128/253 to 101/253 beginning Monday, Oct. 3. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Culvert repairs from Cattle Pass to the junction of Routes 101/253 will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Team Ghilotti of Petaluma.

All these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans wishes to advise motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

Two talented local chefs, Matt Young from the Saw Shop and Mario Monroy from Chic le Chef, will compete, utilizing an array of succulent produce grown by local farmers in the contest.

The cook-off runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with Julie Hoskins of Chic le Chef acting as master of ceremonies.

Based on the popular Food Network TV show, the sizzling competition will take place as part of the Steele Wines Harvest Festival to feature local produce and acknowledge the important contribution local farmers make to the health of our community.

Each chef is allowed to bring one member of his staff to tackle the challenge of taking a basket of local food and turning it into a gourmet meal in 60 minutes.

Local “foodies,” amateur chefs, fans of our local chefs, and anyone who enjoys good food won’t want to miss this very special Lake County Iron Chef Cook-Off – an event that promises plenty of excitement, inspiration and, most certainly, a few laughs.

This promotional activity is funded by a California Department of Food and Agriculture “Specialty Crop” block grant awarded to the Lake County Department of Public Health in coordination with the Health Leadership Network to promote awareness of local produce consumption.

The protest will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, and run through 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2.

The group will show support for and solidarity with the “Occupy Wall Street” demonstrators in New York City and elsewhere in the U.S.

In conjunction with this demonstration, Occupy Napa! protesters will target the Wells Fargo Bank branch located on the opposite side of Main Street from the park as the proxy for its parent corporation, Wall Street giant Wells Fargo & Co.

To learn more about Occupy Wall Street and its related solidarity events elsewhere, visit https://occupywallst.org/ and http://www.occupytogether.org/.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

The agenda will include putting the final touches on the annual Legislator’s Barbecue, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Clearlake's Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., with guest speaker State Controller John Chiang and guests Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, and Assemblymembers Wes Chesbro and Mariko Yamada, and Board of Equalization Member Betty Yee.

Purchase tickets at https://secure.actblue.com/page/lakedembbq.

The agenda will also include, discussion of the committee’s fund raising goals, the 2012 election cycle, and reports from Thompson's representative Peter Windrem; Joey Luiz, Chesbro's representative; and Sunol Westergren, representative for Sen. Noreen Evans.

Mark Wickhamshire and Paula Mune, representatives for the Stonewall and Lake County Democratic Clubs, will share information on the clubs' activities.

Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-277-0713 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The committee's Web site is www.lakecountydemocrats.org.

Flamingos, photographed by Bonnie Sears, who is the artist of the month at the Lake County Wine Studio in Upper Lake, Calif.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting an October wine tasting event featuring wines from Bell Hill Vineyard with Phil and Julia Maxwell, and photography by Bonnie Sears.

The wine tasting and art show will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Lake County Wine Studio, located on the corner of First and Main Streets in Upper Lake across from the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon & Café.

The Maxwells have been growing winegrapes for about 30 years and founded Bell Hill Vineyards in the red soil of Kelseyville in 2005.

With the intent to grow and make ultra premium wines, their vintages released to date have been a success garnering multiple awards and gaining loyal fans.

The $10 wine sampler with paired appetizers will feature their 2004 Merlot, 2006 Merlot and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon.

The sampler will also include a 2010 Sauvignon Blanc made from organic grapes grown at Elk Mountain Vineyard in Upper Lake.

Bonnie Sears is the artist for the month of October with her photography show “A Moment in Time.”

A California native raised in Santa Rosa, Sears possesses an unbounded zest for living and relationships.

She is a former speed water-ski racer and continues to seek thrills when she is not at work at Snows Lake Vineyard or volunteering as a member and officer of organizations such as California Women for Agriculture and Lake County Winery Association.

Sears first began snapping photos with a point-shoot-click camera in the early 1970s and became hooked on photography.

She borrowed her aunt’s 35mm camera until she received her own first 35mm as a gift from her mother.

In 2010 she explored new ideas and information on photography at workshops hosted by Warren Photography in Lakeport, and then armed with a new camera, she has been finding beautiful scenes, flora, fauna and capturing special moments in time.

For more information, call Susan Feiler at 707-293-8752.

That means that the balance of seniors are still living on their own. Many of these seniors have no family or no family living near by, belong to no organizations or groups and have few friends because they lack transportation or are unable to get out.

There are many reasons why seniors find themselves isolated and alone.

The Friendly Visitor Program of Konocti Senior Support Inc. is accepting applications for the fall Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training.

This training will provide volunteers with the opportunity to use their life experiences and provide companionship to home bound seniors.

Friendly Visitors meet with seniors they are matched with once a week for at least an hour to chat, play cards or just listen.

Friendly Visitor services are provided to seniors free of charge by volunteers and all around Lake County.

Volunteer training consists of three days of training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch provided.

The training covers topics through instruction, discussion and participation in such areas as listening, stress reduction, addressing issues of depression and grief, and setting healthy boundaries.

Training also provides participants with useful information which can be used in there own lives.

Konocti Senior Support’s Friendly Visitor training will be provided by Program Director Judy Morgan and offered in Clearlake on Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 and in Lakeport on Nov. 1, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15.

A stipend will be provided to cover mileage to and from training.

Help the group help seniors throughout Lake County. Call 707-995-1417 now for your application and more details or visit www.konoctiseniorsupport.com.