LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture (CWA), which launched AgVenture last August, has recently released its 2011 program schedule.

AgVenture is an innovative concept in agricultural education that promotes understanding between the community and production agriculture.

Modeled on successful programs in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, in its first year AgVenture and CWA received the 2011 Lake County Stars award for “Best Idea of the Year.”

The program, open to 12 participants a year, is designed to build a bridge of understanding between those in agriculture and leaders in the community who influence public opinion and policies which directly affect Lake County farmers’ ability to farm.

The 2011 session will consist of once-a-month, day-long seminars held over a period of three months. 

The meeting dates are Aug. 19, Sept. 30 and Oct. 21, all Fridays.

Each day's seminar will focus on a major commercial crop and will include speakers and farm visits.

Class members will gain a broad knowledge of the heritage, culture, and business of local agriculture.

The sessions will cover such topics as economics, labor, history, marketing, water and land use, challenges and opportunities of farming, agritourism and sustainability.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet with and learn from farmers and other local agriculture industry leaders.

Graduates of the first year’s program include elected officials, media, staff and directors of Lake County agencies and departments, farmers and educators.

Applications to participate in this year’s program are due June 24.

The AgVenture program coordinator is Annette Hopkins, a graduate of the Santa Cruz “Focus Agriculture” program.

The members of her steering committee are Toni Scully and Margaret Eutenier, co-presidents of the Lake County Chapter of CWA; Terry Dereniuk, Wilda Shock, Paula Bryant, Diane Henderson, Michelle Scully, and Shannon Gunier.

Applications for the program are available by e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by mail to CWA AgVenture, P.O. Box 279, Finley, CA 95435.

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 $15 and reservations are required.

May’s event featured Bordeaux varietals opening with Dusinberré Cellars Malbec paired with seasonal greens, cherry-glazed chicken and toasted almonds, followed by a roasted garlic bisque with Main Street Bakery crouton and Gruyere paired with Dusinberré Petite Verdot, and concluded with a dark chocolate mousse and lavender-dusted chocolate strawberry served with Dusinberré Tesoro del Sole Late Harvest Muscat Canelli.

The Tesoro del Sole received multiple awards in competition at the California State fair in 2008, taking a gold medal for best of class, double gold medal for region and best Muscat designation in the state.

June’s event will feature Robledo Family Winery’s Tempranillo paired with paprika crusted pork tenderloin, roasted onion and Pt. Reyes blue cheese, followed by locally farmed strawberries with Yerba Santa Chevré and rosemary infused Wildcat Bees’ honey paired with Robledo Moscato. Additional wines will be available for purchase by the taste or by the glass.

For additional event information and to make reservations, contact Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PG&E will conduct the patrol, weather permitting, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The patrol will identify sagging lines, fallen tree limbs, vegetation overgrowth, potential fire hazards and other problems.

Issues identified from these patrols will be corrected to ensure system safety and reliability going forward.

The meeting will be held starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center, 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown.

He will provide an update on efforts to close the so-called digital divide which plagues much of California.

Our ability to connect through high speed Internet access – referred to generally as “broadband” – is essential to our economic prosperity and quality of life.

Broadband saves consumers time and money, increases productivity in the economy, and reduces impacts on the environment.

This is essential 21st century infrastructure in a digital world and global economy.

Service providers such as Valley Internet are working in concert with the California Emerging Technology Fund to accelerate the deployment and adoption of broadband to unserved and underserved communities and populations such as Lake County.

Tenenbaum invites community members to complete a broadband availability survey at

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CEC8RMQU5 or at http://facebook.com/valleyinternet.

County Librarian Susan Clayton said the library's hours have been changed to match those of the Middletown Library.

Upper Lake Library’s hours are Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The library is located at 310 Second St., telephone 707-275-2049.

Lake County Sheriff Frank Rivero has been invited to speak to the group.

The agenda will include putting together plans for hosting a fundraiser for state Sen. Noreen Evans this summer, discussion of the committee’s fundraising goals and the 2012 election cycle.

Also on the agenda, reports from Peter Windrem representative for Congressman Mike Thompson; Joey Luiz, representative for Assemblyman Wes Chesbro; a report from Sen. Evans; and reports from Lake County Stonewall and Lake County Democratic Club.

Representatives will give updates on the club activities.

The adhoc committee appointed to review the annual barbecue fundraiser and bring suggestions to enhance the event will give a report of their findings and recommendations.

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.