THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH NEW CONTACT INFORMATION.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Have you thought about getting involved in a festival that is a local yearly event? Do you have talents, skills, a little time, or a lot of time, and maybe an interest in having fun while contributing to the management and production of the Lake Renaissance Festival?

The festival managers are seeking local people to join their merry crew of rascals and wenches, fighters and lovers, pirates, performers and artisans, Italians, Highlanders, and visitors from all over the “world” for two days of rousing fun and nonstop entertainment.

If you’re not interested in performing, there are still many tasks in other departments needed, such as administration, publicity, construction, signs and banners, set decorations, technical, food prep/cook, first aid and gate/tickets.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or call Lisa Brazeau at 707-295-2925. They will find a place for you.

This festival is a chapter in history in a recreated village of Tuscany, Italy that is called Porto del Mare during the festival. While England was in the midst of its Renaissance most of the Western world was moving into a Baroque period. So we can accommodate visitors from all over in their full splendor.

Preparations are under way for the third annual event on May 28 and 29 in the charming streets and courtyards of the quaint Tuscan Village in Lower Lake from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

The appeal is to the people who want to be involved, helping to create and sustain a well-received, quality event for years to come.

If you want to participate in any way, please contact Lisa Brazeau at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-295-2925.

Bob Schneider, Tuleyome’s senior policy director, has been named to the Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest California Resource Advisory Council (RAC.)

The Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest California Resource Advisory Council (RAC) is welcoming new and returning members, following appointments by U. S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Members reappointed to three-year terms, and their areas of interest, are Michael Kelley, of Berkeley, dispersed recreation and Shirley Laos, of Trinidad, Native American tribes.

New members are Bob Schneider, of Davis, environmental groups; Eric Lueder, of San Rafael, off-highway-vehicle interests; and Dennis Possehn, of Anderson, timber industry interests.

“We receive valuable advice from widely divergent points of view from our advisory councils,” said BLM Northern California District Manager Nancy Haug, “and that is very important as we discuss challenging natural resource management issues. We are happy to welcome our new and returning members.”

The 12-member RAC works closely with BLM field managers in Arcata, Redding and Ukiah, advising on the BLM’s wide-ranging public land management mission.

The next meeting is Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29, in Ukiah.

“I am honored to serve on the council,” stated Schneider. “The Resource Advisory Council provides the public an opportunity to participate directly in the management of our public lands. I represent the environmental groups position but it is important to hear the viewpoint of all users and stakeholders and as a member of the RAC to craft solutions that best address those concerns.”

Tuleyome (www.tuleyome.org) is a regional conservation organization based in Woodland, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 530-304-6215.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Come out for a few laughs and a fun evening and help Kelseyville High School’s senior class raise money for their graduation during the annual Comedy Night next Friday, April 8.

The event will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.

The evening of entertainment will feature talented comedians and is organized by Lake County’s own Marc Yaffee.

Live and silent auctions will be held throughout the evening, with Rob Brown as the emcee.

Beer, wine and appetizers will be available.

Tickets are $20 per person presale or $25 per person at the door and are available at the Kelseyville Fire Department business office on Main Street, the Kelseyville High School office, Vintage Hair Salon, Catfish Books in Lakeport or any Kelseyville High School senior.

For more information, contact Teri at 707-349-3695.

HOPLAND, Calif. – The town of Hopland’s legendary Passport Weekend returns April 30 and May 1 with new wineries on the itinerary and dozens of activities that celebrate Mendocino County as “America’s Greenest Wine Region.”

Traditionally held every year on the first weekend in May, the event entitles all those with a “passport” to sample the area’s sustainable, organic and estate-produced wines paired with local food products, meet the winemakers and vintners, explore the history and culture of this beautiful wine destination and purchase these unique, locally produced products.

This year, 16 of America’s “greenest wineries” will welcome visitors between 11a.m. and 5 p.m.

Tickets include a Passport wine glass, entry to all wine tastings and food pairings, entertainment and drawings for over thirty prizes.

Tickets can be purchased at www.hoplandpassport.com and are $35 per person, $45 the day of the event, (free for designated drivers).

On Saturday April 30, shuttles run by the MTA will circulate between all participating wineries throughout the day, stopping at each winery approximately every 30 minutes. A Shuttle Pass is $15 and is good for Saturday only.

For the first time, wines from Parducci Wine Cellars, will be poured during the two-day passport weekend thanks to a new partnership with the Real Goods Store at the Solar Living Center in Hopland. Parducci, called by Forbes Magazine “America’s Greenest Winery,” is the nation's first carbon-neutral winery.

Also new to Hopland Passport this year is Cesar Toxqui Cellars, who recently opened a tasting room in downtown Hopland. Toxqui and his family invite participants to stop by and taste his handcrafted, small-batch artisan Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Heirloom wines, all of which are produced using sustainable, traditional methods.

The history of grape growing and winemaking in the Hopland Valley dates to the early 1900s, and today consists of a third of the vineyards in Mendocino County, many operated by second- and third-generation farmers who honor the region’s rich tradition by respecting the land, air and water that give it its character.

Participating wineries include: Brutocao Cellars, Campovida, Cesar Toxqui Cellars, Graziano Family of Wines, Jaxon Keys Winery, Jeriko Estate, McDowell Valley Vineyards, McFadden Vineyards, McNab Ridge Winery, Milano Winery, Nelson Family Vineyards, Parducci Wine Cellars, Patianna Vineyards, Rack & Riddle, Saracina, Terra Savia and Weibel Family Vineyards.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hoplandpassport.com or contact Destination Hopland Association at 1-800-433-3689.