Karan Mackey, proprietor of the Inn, has invited Clarke to meet guests attending the annual event in downtown Lakeport.

Tasting of fine Lake County wines and delicious hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants is featured from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with dancing to the LC Diamonds in Museum Park from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Clarke, a Lake County resident and C.R.N.A. (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), creates a new watercolor-on-silk painting each year and donates it to the Wine Alliance to be auctioned off during the annual charity event.

He has done more than 400 paintings in his specialty medium, many of which are in Lake County collections and public facilities.

His original painting, “Thankful in Lake County,” is on display at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville.

The Wine Alliance has reproduced the original art and proceeds from the poster sales, at $20 each, will benefit the nonprofit organizations and programs that have been selected as this year’s beneficiaries. The painting will be among special items up for bid during the live auction.

The 12th annual Lake County Wine Auction will be on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Ceago Vinegarden in Nice, which is serving as the host venue for the second year.

Two ticket prices will be offered this year. The Grand Tasting ticket will include an afternoon of wine and food tasting in the Ceago courtyard, a commemorative wineglass and tasting plate, and participation in the silent auction for $75 per person. This portion of the event will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 6 p.m.

The Grand Tasting and Auction Reserve ticket will include all of the items for the Grand Tasting ticket as well as a gift tote, reserved seating for the served, three-course dinner, the live auction, and dancing for $150 per person. This portion of the event will start at 3 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.

The attire for this year’s charity event is Wine Country chic. Attendees must be 21 years and older. Music in the afternoon will be provided by David Neft on the keyboard.

During the evening, entertainers Twice as Good will play for dancing. Lake County businessman Bill Brunetti is the honorary chair; Shaun Hornby and Stephanie Green are the auctioneers.

The Lake County Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of Lake County wineries, winegrape growers, and allied businesses whose mission is to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region, has contributed over $831,000 to local nonprofit organizations and agencies in the past 11 years.

Beneficiaries for this year are, by category: in the arts, the fine arts programs at five high schools; in health services, Any Positive Change, Catholic Charities-Rural Food Program, and Meals on Wheels programs at five senior centers; and in the community, Lake County Council of Church Women United, Lake County Literacy Coalition, Military Funeral Honors Team, Northshore Fire Protection District, Operation Tango Mike and People Services Inc.

Tickets are available through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org, or by calling 866-279-WINE to make reservations.

Mailed requests for tickets and reservations may be sent to P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

The group will have chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, veggies, fresh cut salad, rolls and yummy dessert served at the club hall, 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

The bar is open for socializing at 5 p.m. then dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

Enjoy dancing to the music of Jim Williams right after the meal.

All tickets cost $15 at the door.

Everyone is welcome.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-263-1606.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Joanne Saccato, local food activist, will be the featured guest on “Women’s Voices” on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

The show airs from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on KPFZ, 88.1 FM.

Saccato will discuss and share information on the local food movement and what is happening in that arena.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Calpine Corp. will hold public informational meetings to present progress reports on the construction of the U.S. Department of Energy and Calpine’s Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) Demonstration Project currently under way at The Geysers.

The meetings will be held at the Calpine Geothermal Visitors Center, 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown.

The first will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, while the second will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4.

Contact the visitors center for more information, 707-987-4270, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.geysers.com.

Visit the Geothermal Technologies Program Web site at www.geothermal.energy.gov for more information on the program, EGS and existing EGS sites.

The 60-day comment window follows ongoing dialogue between the Forest Service and tribal representatives on sacred sites.

The Forest Service will accept public comments on the draft report while honoring its responsibility to consult with Indian tribes.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack requested an internal review and consultation with tribes to determine if existing law, regulations and policies affecting sacred sites provide a consistent level of protection.

“I cannot overemphasize the value of government-to-government consultations with the tribes,” said Vilsack. “These discussions continue to produce information critical to developing land management strategies that respect and protect America’s sacred lands.”

Opening the draft report for public review and comment is in keeping with President Obama’s commitment to government transparency.

Public comments on the report will be accepted from Aug. 5 to Oct. 4. Afterwards Forest Service officials will review and consider all suggestions received.

The draft report is available for review at www.fs.fed.us/spf/tribalrelations/sacredsites.

Public comments can be sent to:

U.S. Forest Service

Office of Tribal Relations

1400 Independence Ave., SW

Mailstop Code: 1160

Washington, DC 20250-1160

Comments also may be submitted by fax to 202-205-1773 or e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The final report is expected to be completed this winter.

Draft 2011 US Forest Service Sacred Sites Report

In addition to the Clear Lake Quilt Guild, weaver Sheila O'Hara and her students, and members of the Sheep Thrills Spinning and Weaving Guild, the exhibition will also have quilts by the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, curated by Jane Alameda.

Another fine display entitled “Quilts for Wounded Warriors,” is organized by Donna Hodges. These quilts are made locally and given to injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee and runs from Aug. 6 through Aug. 27.

An Artist’s Reception will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., so come and meet the artists.

For more information, call the museum at 707-995-3565.