From left to right, Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club members Nancy Bailey, Tedde McMillen, Georgeann Tintorri, Michael Rankin, Zoila McGraw and Bill McGraw. Courtesy photo.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – The Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club started its new Adopt-A-Road project cleaning up Hartmann Road between Highway 29 and Hardester’s HVL Market.

Under the direction of Georgeann Tintorri, members of the club volunteer their time to crew the work party to begin the beautification process.

The garden club’s plan is to clean up the area by picking up litter, weedeating, trimming the small native trees and planting wildflowers seeds in the fall.

Travelers along Hartmann Road will be able see and enjoy these native plants that have made the roadside their home.

The Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club meets at the Hidden Valley Lake Administration's Recreation Room at 9:30 a.m. on the second Monday of every month.

Please contact Nancy Bailey, Hidden Valley Lake Garden Club president, via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

LAKE COUNTY – On Aug. 18 Lolo's Consignment Shop in St. Helena will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to the Lake County Search and Rescue Association.

Lake County Search and Rescue is comprised of volunteers of the community that devote their time to train in the search and rescue of people that need help.

Search and Rescue responds to calls 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

In the Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, there are currently approximately 20 volunteers in addition to the nearly 25 members of the Kelseyville High School KCORPS (Kelseyville Community Organization for Rescue and Public Service).

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office employs four full-time employees designated as Search and Rescue coordinators, who act as liaisons between the sheriff’s department and the volunteers.

For more information call Lolo's at 707-963-7972 or stop in 1120 Main St., St. Helena. Visit the shop online at www.lolosconsignment.com.

LAKEPORT – A second information meeting describing two government programs that can help Lake County residents with financial assistance is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on July 28 in Lakeport at St. Mary Immaculate Church, 801 N. Main St.

The programs are administered by Catholic Charities Lake County programs, and are part of the federal government stimulus bills to help people who live in Lake County and pay rent.

The programs cannot help people who own their homes. The programs can assist qualified residents who are experiencing hardship due to the current economy and/or a sudden loss of income.

As a result of a similar meeting in June, 25 local families are receiving assistance.

The July meeting will help explain who is most likely to qualify and how the application process works.

The programs can help people who are in jeopardy of losing their current rental housing; need money to catch up on late rent payments; are at risk of homelessness or who are homeless and need help to reestablish housing; and need help in paying past due utility bills.

Mortgage assistance of any kind is not covered.

To qualify, residents must meet federal income guidelines, as well as requirements such as documentation of payments to landlords or utilities companies, and proof of legal residency.

All information and documentation is verified during the review process.

The programs are funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009/ Homeless Prevention and Rapid-Re-housing Program, and the Federal Emergency Shelter Grant for Lake County is funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), via the California Department of Housing & Community Development.

Due to limited space, reservations are required. Call 707-987-8139.

LAKEPORT – The city of Lakeport's Parks & Recreation Commission has canceled its July meeting.

The next regular meeting will be Aug. 12.

LAKEPORT – A new feature this year for the Lake County Rodeo is called “Come Learn About Rodeo,” which is being held on Saturday, July 10, at 6:15 p.m.

The public will have the opportunity to meet and speak with some of the top CCPRA Rodeo professionals prior to the start of the 81st Annual Lake County Rodeo at 7 p.m.

Ask questions about why these folks have chosen to be in this great American tradition.

Some of the points leading pros are Casey Meroshnekoff, bareback rider from Red Bluff; current No. 2 All Around Cowboy Jordan Spears, a calf roper out of Redding; Leslie Moore, barrel racer of Bridgeville; bull rider Jordan Spears of Redding; and 53 years young Mark Thomson from Tehachapi, World Champion from the National Seniors Pro Rodeo.

Rodeo Announcer Ted Dwyer will be emceeing the program and will be joined by TV cowboy star Monte Montana and Rodeo Clown Charlie “Too Tall” West.

Also on hand will be members of the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen to answer questions from youngsters about what its like to ride in a drill team.

Don't forget the rodeo parade on Main Street in Lakeport at 11 a.m., with Monte Montana as grand marshal.

Saturday rodeo admission tickets also get you into the annual rodeo dance featuring Lou Derr & Bootleg, which follows an exciting evening of CCPRA professional rodeo events, from bronc riding to bull riding.

Also, 10 youngsters will compete to win a silver buckle for being the best Mutton Buster of the evening.

The rodeo is old-fashioned family fun for every age.

The box office opens at 5 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

Pictured, from left to right, are Shelena Stewart, Emma Fullerton, Kimberly Fischer, 2009 Lake County Rodeo Queen Nicole Erickson, 2009 Lake County Rodeo Princess Jocelyn Bennett, Jessika McCollian and Ashley Johnson. Photo by Scott Bennett of Bennett Photography.

LAKE COUNTY – The contest to determine who will be the 2010-11 Lake County Rodeo Queen and Princess was held late in June, with the announcement of the young winners set to be made official this weekend.

The contest was held June 25 at the Soper Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport.

The contestants were required to show off their shining personalities, poise and public speaking skills. Each girl modeled their best western outfit, gave a speech showing their knowledge of the sport of rodeo and answered the judge's impromptu questions about the sport of rodeo and caring for their horses.

Judges for the Friday night event were Mary Southard, Dianna Hendrick and Greg Scott, all of Lakeport.

The judges award points based on the contestants timed speeches, their poise while modeling, and their knowledge of rodeo and horsemanship.

On June 26 at the Cole Creek Equestrian Center in Kelseyville the contestants showed off their horsemanship skills starting with a written test showing their practical knowledge.

The next area that was judged was their horse grooming, tacking up and general horsemanship knowledge.

Each girl was required to groom and tack up their horse while answering judge's questions. A time limit of 10 minutes taxes even the most experienced horsemen and women.

The contestants then showed their riding skills by completing an intricate pattern in the arena which showed their expertise in giving cues for lead changes and maintaining a steady pace, along with keeping their horses calm and moving at the required pace.

They also show off their best queen salute for the audience on a running horse and then carrying a large American flag one circle around the arena.

Judges for the Horsemanship section were Suzie Wiloth of Wiloth Therapeutic Riding Center in Middletown, Tamara Hoskins and Sierra Briggle, also of Middletown.

The winners will be named at the 81st annual Lake County Rodeo at the Lakeport Fairgrounds on Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10. Parking is free.