ST. HELENA, Calif. – On Monday, Aug. 30, and Wednesday, Sept. 1, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Sonoma Lake Napa Unit will conduct live fire training exercises on the Warm Springs Dam at Lake Sonoma in Northern Sonoma County.

Along with CAL FIRE, Healdsburg Fire Department, Geyserville Fire Protection District and the Cloverdale Fire Protection District also will be participating.

The training will begin at 6 p.m. and will continue to approximately 9 p.m.

This training will provide realistic wildland fire conditions to train firefighters in different tactical operations.

In addition to the training, the area being used for the training burn is on the downstream face of Warm Springs Dam.

By burning 80 acres of grass off the dam, it allows the Army Corps of Engineers to do their annual inspection of the dam face.

There will be eight fire engines and a bulldozer participating along with approximately 35 firefighters.

KELSEYVILLE – A fundraiser barbecue will be held this week to benefit a teenager stricken with leukemia and her family.

The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. this Monday, Aug. 30, at Gard Street School, 3980 Gard St., Kelseyville.

This past February, 15-year-old Jenae Nolan was diagnosed with leukemia.

On July 29, the teenager underwent a bone marrow transplant to help her fight the disease.

The barbecue is meant to raise funds to assist the family with paying for medical and other expenses.

The cost per person is $5.

For more information call Rob Brown at 707-349-2628 or Nicole Figueroa at 707-349-5541.

The Konocti Fiddle Club rattled the windows at the Lakeport Library in Lakeport, Calif., when they entertained at story time on Friday, August 20, 2010. Seen here are just a few of the club members, from the most junior members to the most senior members. Photo courtesy of Jan Cook.

LAKEPORT – On Aug. 20, about 15 members of the Konocti Fiddle Club performed for a packed house of 122 at Lakeport Library.

The fiddlers warmed up the audience with classic fiddle tunes like “Cripple Creek,” “Old Joe Clark,,” ”Boil Them Cabbage Down,” “Il Basso,” “Star of the County Down” and “Swallowtail Jig,” then segued into demonstration mode.

Sue Condit, a kindergarten teacher at Lower Lake Elementary School, conducted the demonstration as the musicians showed off their fiddles, viola, cello, electric bass, penny whistles, bodhran (Irish drum), gut bucket, and wash board. Instruments imitated the animals in a rendition of “Old McDonald had a Farm” and the musicians closed the show with a rousing version of “Orange Blossom Special.”

The crowd responded enthusiastically to the program by singing along, keeping time and applauding. Barbara Green of the library staff remarked that “the kids were just enthralled” and county administrator Kelly Cox commented that he “thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.”

The Konocti Fiddle Club, in conjunction with the Clear Lake Performing Arts, has performed this program at the library and at schools around the county to introduce local children to string music. Both organizations encourage children and adults to become involved in music.

For more information about the Konocti Fiddle Club and the Clear Lake Performing Arts, contact Skelton’s Music at 707-279-4336

Jan Cook is a library technician with the Lake County Library.

Library story teller

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is urging local residents and businesses to be on the lookout for possible attempts to sell locally a stolen coin collection.

Late last week the chamber received information that a large coin collection was stolen from Middletown home on Aug. 24.

The chamber said it was asked to pass the information along to the community in the hopes that those who may deal in the field of antiques and collectibles can be on the lookout, as someone may try to sell these coins locally.

If you do come upon anything suspicious in regards to these gold coins please pass any relevant information along to the Lake County Sheriff's Office at the Middletown substation, 707-987-3178.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A county resident won big in the California State Fair this year for his baking skills.

Warren Massie, a six-year Lake County resident, won four first places, two best of class and best of division.

His pies competed against pies that from all over the state, including Los Angeles, San Mateo, Redding, Sacramento and San Francisco.

“I think there were over 40 pies entered, and they were all perfect,” he said. “When I won best of division I had a hard time controlling myself.”

He said he loves baking pies, and was inspired by his grandmother when he was 8 years old to begin pie baking.

“My desire is to bake the best and most creative pies ever,” he said.

Massie said he entered the California State Fair because he wanted his pies to be judged by professionals. “Your pies are openly judged, and you will know what they like or dislike about your pies.”

He entered seven pies and eight pastries in the state fair: coconut cream pie, crème brulee custard pie, key lime pie, apple designer pie, Baked Kelseyville Pear Pie, citrus pear pie, nectarine pie and Taste-Of-Lake-County Pear Dumpling.

Massie said his Taste-Of-Lake-County Pear Dumpling includes three of the most locally grown ingredients in Lake County: wine, pears and walnuts.

He said he wanted to bring a unique dessert to Lake County that included ingredients that can only be found in Lake County.

“The State Fair judges asked where is Lake County? Now because of my pie entries they know,” he said.

The judges said Massie's Baked Kelseyville Pear Pie and Taste-Of-Lake-County Pear Dumpling were wonderful and both got perfect scores. The Baked Kelseyville won best of division in the State Fair.

Massie offers some of his pie secrets at his Web site, www.everythingpies.com.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– AT&T of Sacramento has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility maintenance near Government Street on Monday, Aug. 30, and Tuesday, Aug. 31. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs between 13th Street and 14th Street on Monday, Aug. 30, and Tuesday, Aug. 31. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Gerald Underwood of Sebastopol has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing 0.2 mile east of Linden Street on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Installation of a radar feedback sign near Philo Greenwood Road will continue. 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. Contractor – Mike Brown Electric of Cotati.

– California Department of Parks and Recreation has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for sewer line repairs 0.3 mile south of Larkin Road beginning Monday, August 30. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 20

– Comcast of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for an aerial crossing 0.1 mile east of Noyo Acres Drive on Monday, Aug. 30. Work hours are 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– A metal be a.m. guardrail repair project at various locations from 0.1 mile north of the Mendocino/Sonoma County line to 0.3 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

– A metal be a.m. guardrail repair project from Mill Company Road to 0.6 mile north of Carpenter Lane will continue. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Friday morning. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Wahlund Construction of Eureka.

– A pavement repair project from the Robinson Creek Overcrossing to the Forsyth Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 5 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 – Granite Construction, Incorporated, of Ukiah.

– Installation of rock slope protection from Reeves Canyon Road to Black Bart Drive 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 – Granite Construction, Incorporated, of Ukiah.

Highway 162

– Storm damage repair east of Sand Bank Creek 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 – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

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 271

– Culvert repair near Piercy will begin Monday, Aug. 30. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Van Meter Logging Inc. of Garberville.

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).