News

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A new educational event for schoolchildren got off to a big start with its debut earlier this month, with organizers planning to make it a regular annual event.

The inaugural Lake County Ag & Natural Resource Day welcomed hundreds of local students to a unique hands-on educational experience on Thursday, March 16.

Organizers said the event, held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport, was a huge success.

Nearly 1,000 students from kindergarten through sixth grade attended the event’s debut, according to the Lake County Fair Foundation, which created the Ag & Natural Resource Day.

Lake County Ag & Natural Resource Day was presented in a field-trip style event for school children from all around the county.

It was offered free of cost, with schools invited to bring students from kindergarten through sixth grade to experience agriculture and natural resources firsthand.

Janeane Bogner, a member of the boards for the Lake County Fair Board and the Lake County Fair Foundation, said planning for the event started last year.

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Bogner said Ag & Natural Resource Day was modeled after Sonoma County Ag Days. She said Fair Chief Executive Officer Debbie Strickler visited that event, which her sister-in-law manages.

“She was very impressed with it and felt we needed it in Lake County,” Bogner said.

That goal fit with the Fair Foundation’s bylaws, which call for the organization to host educational events about agriculture, Bogner said.

As a result, the Fair Foundation signed on as a sponsor, and soon was joined by many partner organizations, including the Lake County Farm Bureau, the University of California’s 4-H Youth Development Program and Umpqua Bank, in launching the event, according to Bogner.

“It was all these women sitting around the table and it went from there,” said Bogner.

In all, the Fair Foundation reported there were more than 40 “ag partners” in the event, including local FFA chapters, the Lake County Historical Society, the Lake County Office of Education and many other agricultural ambassadors from around the lake.

Bogner said they sent information about the event to all of the school principals in June and then sent out a reminder at the start of the school year.

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When the children arrived at the fairgrounds on March 16, they received goodie bags filled with almonds, information on different crops plus classroom activities, and a pamphlet about agriculture. Bogner said children also were given strawberry plants and seeds.

She said 4-H, Future Farmers of America and Konocti Christian Academy students assisted with handing out items to the visiting schoolchildren.

Children got to meet a draft horse from Philo, a mini horse, pot-bellied pigs, baby goats and baby lambs, Bogner said.

The California Milk Advisory Board’s trailer came, and Bogner said a dairy cow was brought to show children about milking.

There also was a sheep shearer and his family there to demonstrate, and a group of tractors that was brought from Ukiah, she said.

“It was such a neat event and we were so lucky, it was a beautiful day,” Bogner said.

There also were essay, poster and mural contests for students, the results of which are posted below. Awards for those contests were presented at the end of the day, Bogner said, adding that Umpqua Bank provided each of the children with an ice cream sandwich as a parting gift.

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“Everybody that was there was just thrilled,” she said.

Based on the overwhelming response to its debut, Bogner said the plan is to make Lake County Ag & Natural Resource Day an annual event.

Plans already are under way for next year, with Bogner expecting that the second annual event will be even bigger. “I think it’s going to just build from here on.”

To learn more about Lake County Ag & Natural Resource Day or the Lake County Fair Foundation, visit http://lakecountyfair.com/get-involved/ or https://www.facebook.com/lakecountyfairfoundation/ .

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2017 AG DAY AWARD WINNERS

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS AND PRIZES

Essay: Abram Ferrell, $50
Mural: Mrs. Cortez’s class, Riviera Elementary, $50
Poster: Abigail Ortega, $50

ESSAY CONTEST

Third grade

First place: Madison Renfro
Second place: Cecilia Knight
Third place: David Erwin

Fourth grade

First place: Casey Huston
Second place: Beverly Fetters
Third place: Bodhi Moore

Fifth grade

First place: Abram Ferrell
Second place: Emily Bullaro
Third place: Krista Messer

Sixth grade

First place: Megan Call
Second place: Maddie Hayenga
Third place: Nadine Mahlen

POSTER CONTEST

First grade

First place: Elyse Haley
Second place: Abby Sombs
Third place: Davis Lincoln

Second grade

First place: Lovita Castro
Second place: Ryder Wiper
Third place: Kalina Santor

Fifth grade

First place: Abigail Ortega
Second place: Lucas Arredondo
Third place: Abram Ferrell

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA  – With a strong showing of support in the Senate Judiciary Committee, state Sen. Mike McGuire and Sen. Scott Wiener’s Presidential Tax Transparency & Accountability Act that would share basic tax information with the American public and require that all presidential candidates release the last five years of their tax returns in order to appear on the California ballot, was approved on Tuesday.

“Transparency is a nonpartisan issue. And it’s transparency that provides the basis for accountability in Government,” said Sen. McGuire. “For the past 40 years, every US President – Republicans and Democrats alike – have released their tax returns. These patriots put the nation’s interests above everything else. Presidents are expected to put their own interests aside – whether it be business ties or relationships with a foreign government – for the greater good of our country. And that greater good is America’s security and the protection of its people.”

Senators McGuire and Wiener have been working with some of the preeminent constitutional attorneys in the nation, including Harvard Professor Larry Tribe; Richard Painter, retired chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush; and Ambassador (ret.) Norman L. Eisen from The Brookings Institution.

Those experts submitted definitive statements to the California Senate Judiciary Committee that the federal constitution allows states to create ballot access requirements, like SB 149, that ensure the ballots for every office, including the office of the president, are comprehensible and informative.

Their statement concluded that, “We have studied these state laws carefully and have concluded that they are constitutional. Our federal constitution allows states to create ballot access requirements that ensure the ballots for every office, including the office of presidential elector, are comprehensible and informative.”

“Anyone aspiring to be president of our nation should be willing to release their tax returns – unless they have something to hide,” said Sen. Wiener. “The almost daily revelations regarding the connections between the Trump administration and Russia are a perfect example of why we need basic financial disclosures before elections take place. This is about establishing trust so that the American public knows that they come first when the White House makes a decision, not second to some business or investment interest.”

Approval in the Senate Judiciary Committee today means SB 149 will head to the Senate Elections Committee before going to the full Senate for approval.

SB 149 will require a candidate for president, in order to have his or her name placed upon the primary election ballot, to file his or her income tax returns for the five most recent taxable years with the Secretary of State’s Office. The returns would also be made available to the public on the Secretary of State’s Web site.

Prior to Donald Trump’s refusal to release any tax returns, for more than 40 years, every president since Jimmy Carter have released at least one year of tax returns. During the 2016 Presidential election, Hillary Clinton (Democratic) and Jill Stein (Green) both released their tax returns.

Contrary to what Trump stated in public, that Americans don’t care about his tax returns, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll, 74 percent of respondents believe Trump should release his tax returns. This poll shows consistent results from an earlier poll conducted by Quinnipiac University back in August of 2016.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A down home blues benefit will be held to benefit the 2017 Clear Lake High School Grad Night on Friday, April 7.

The event will take place at the Soper Reese Theater at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with showtime at 7 p.m.

Levi Lloyd will headline the event, with Kay Irvine and Jim Wilson – also known as Dee Wills – also set to perform.

The cost is $25 per table seat with wine and appetizers. Loge seats are $15 each.

There also will be Southern comfort food snacks and beverages available at the concession stand.

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Republican Party will meet on Tuesday, April 11.

The meeting will take place at Round Table Pizza, 821 11th St. in Lakeport.

Social time starts at 6 p.m. with no host food and beverages, followed by the business meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Group members will discuss President Trump's immigration policy and the proposal to make California a sanctuary state.

If you are interested in joining the Lake County Republican Committee, or if you are just interested in learning more about the group, please attend this meeting.

Follow the local Republican Party on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-CA-Republican-Party-401224996588222/?fref=ts or for more information contact Lake County Chair Dee Cuney at 707-235-2902.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County had a drop in unemployment in February and has shown particularly strong job growth in certain categories over the past month and year, according to the state’s latest report on employment.

The California Employment Development Department’s report showed that Lake County’s unemployment rate for February was 6.6, down from 7.3 percent in January and the 7.6 percent reported in February 2016.

Based on historical data provided by the Employment Development Department, February’s 6.6 percent unemployment rate appears to be the lowest for the month of February in more than 27 years.

California’s February unemployment rate was 5 percent, down from 5.2 percent in January and 5.6 percent in February 2016, according to the report. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent for February, down from the 4.8 percent in January and 4.9 percent the previous February.

The Employment Development Department said nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,676,100 in February, a net gain of 22,900 jobs, up from the 15,300 new jobs reported in January, according to a survey of 58,000 businesses that measures jobs in the economy. The year-over change, February 2016 to February 2017, showed an increase of 315,800 jobs, up 1.9 percent.

The federal household survey estimated the number of Californians holding jobs in February was 18,190,000, an increase of 14,000 from January, and up 254,000 from the employment total in February of last year.

The number of unemployed Californians was 966,000 in February – down by 22,000 over the month, and down by 102,000 compared with February of last year, according to the report.

With February’s job gains, the Employment Development Department said California has gained a total of 2,489,500 jobs since the economic expansion began in February 2010.

Lake County’s civilian workforce in February totaled 29,660, with the number of unemployed totaling 1,960. That’s compared to 29,560 workers and 2,150 unemployed in January, and 29,220 individuals and 2,210 unemployed the previous February.

Lake County’s total farm jobs increased by 16.5 percent in February, followed by durable goods with 15.4 percent; wholesale trade and information, both at 8.3 percent; and state government, 5.6 percent, the state reported.

The report showed decreases in jobs in industries including nondurable goods, 13 percent; mining, logging and construction, 9.4 percent; and goods producing, 6 percent.

In year-over comparisons, the subcategory of durable goods showed a jump in new jobs of 66.7 percent, or a growth in the number of jobs from 90 in February 2016 to 150 last month. Other notable job growth for the year was seen in total farm, 12.5 percent; financial activities, 8.3 percent; and educational and health services, 6.6 percent.

The Employment Development Department said seven of California’s 11 industry sectors – trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; construction; information; professional and business services; educational and health services; and other services – added a total of 30,800 jobs in February.

Four industry sectors – mining and logging; manufacturing; financial activities; and government – reported job declines over the month, down a total of 7,900 jobs. Manufacturing posted the largest decrease over the month, down by 4,000 jobs, followed by financial activities, which fell by 2,200 jobs.

In a year-over-year comparison, from February 2016 to February 2017, nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 315,800 jobs, a 1.9 percent increase, the state said.

Nine of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 328,300 jobs year-over. The Employment Development Department said the largest job gains were in educational and health services, up 89,100 jobs, a 3.6-percent increase, and leisure and hospitality, up 48,900 jobs, a 2.6 percent increase.

Other sectors where the report said California added jobs over the year were construction; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; other services; and government.

Two industry sectors – mining and logging, and manufacturing – posted job declines over the year, down a total of 12,500 jobs. Manufacturing employment fell by 9,600 jobs, down 0.7 percent, while mining and logging was down by 2,900 jobs, an 11.2-percent decrease.

The report said San Mateo County held onto the lowest unemployment rate statewide, 2.8 percent, while Colusa County finished last, with a rate of 22.8 percent. Lake County’s 6.6-percent rate earned it the No. 31 ranking.

The Employment Development Department also reported that there were 405,196 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the February survey week, compared with 386,875 in January and 388,417 in February of last year.

New claims for Unemployment Insurance were 43,499 in February, compared with 62,201 in January and 42,281 in February of last year, the state reported.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson will host a community town hall to discuss the latest from Washington, DC this week.

The town hall will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Kelseyville High School’s Tom Aiken Student Center, 5480 Main St.

Community members who have questions about what's happening in Washington are invited to come, get more information and offer input.

With Congress considering a number of crucial matters – including health care, national security and tax reform – Thompson will offer his perspective and hear from constituents. All who attend will have the opportunity to ask a question or share their thoughts.

On the topic of health care, Thompson was an outspoken opponent of the recently pulled American Health Care Act. He also recently co-authored a new bill to make health insurance more affordable for families in high cost areas.

The Saturday town hall is part of a busy visit for Thompson to Lake County. Later that day, he’s scheduled to host his 26th annual ravioli dinner at Boatique Winery.

Community members planning to attend the afternoon town hall are asked to RSVP to 707-226-9898 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) is inviting the public to help identify trails that will be part of a U.S. Forest Service effort with partners and volunteers to increase the pace of trail maintenance.

Nationwide, the Forest Service will select nine to 15 priority areas among its nine regions where a backlog in trail maintenance contributed to reduced access, potential harm to natural resources or trail users and/or has the potential for increased future deferred maintenance costs.

Region 5 manages more than 16,000 miles of trails enjoyed by 16,100,000 users each year.  In Region 5, volunteers and partner groups contributed more than 178,000 hours in maintenance and repair of nearly 2,984 miles of trails last year.

“We are counting on our fellow Californians to help us identify where maintenance is needed,” said Randy Moore, regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region. “The forest visitors who enjoy these trails year-round are the best source of information for what’s needed on the ground, and we’re counting on their expertise and willingness to help.”

Region 5 has until April 15 to submit at least three regional proposals to National Headquarters. Those proposals will be weighed against proposal submitted by other Forest Service regions.

The trail maintenance effort is outlined in the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act of 2016 and aims to increase trail maintenance by volunteers and partners by 100 percent by the end of 2021.

The selected sites will be part of the initial focus that will include a mosaic of areas with known trail maintenance needs that include areas near urban and remote areas, such as wilderness, are of varying sizes and trail lengths, are motorized and non-motorized, and those that incorporate a varied combination of partner and volunteer approaches and solutions.

The Forest Service manages more than 158,000 miles of trail – the largest trail system in the nation – providing motorized and non-motorized trail access across 154 national forests and grasslands.

These Forest Service trails are well-loved and highly used with more than 84 million trail visits annually, helping to support mostly rural economies.

The Forest Service receives widespread support from tens of thousands of volunteers and partners each year who, in 2015, contributed nearly 1.4 million hours – a value of about $31.6 million – in maintenance and repair of nearly 30,000 miles of trails.

However, limited funding compounded by the rising cost of wildfire operations, has resulted in less than 25 percent of Forest Service trails meeting all of the agency’s standards for safety, quality recreation and economic and environmental sustainability. The remaining trails meet standard to varying degrees.

To provide ideas and suggestions on potential priority areas and approaches for incorporating increased trail maintenance assistance from partners and volunteers, contact your local Forest Service office or Regional Trail Program Manager Garrett Villanueva at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by April 7.

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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with Olof Cellars and artists Jennifer and Anna Sabalone with their show "Perspectives," a mother and daughter's view of the world, on Friday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, 4 to 7 p.m.
 
The $15 ($12.50/per person for studio club members) wine sampler featuring appetizers by Vintage Deli Station, will showcase Olof's white 2014 Nebbiolo paired with a Rachel Panini sandwich bite, 2011 Nebbiolo with a chicken, bacon and creamy brie wrap roll, 2013 Signature (red blend) with fresh mozzarella on focaccia with tomato and basil pesto, and the 2011 Barberic (Barbera) with a gluten free cherry chocolate bread pudding recipe from Cindi Olof.

The Olof's planted their first vines in the Lake County Appellation in 2000 and began making wines under their own Olof Cellars brand in 2009.

With a view looking out over the Big Valley AVA and Mt. Konocti to the East, their St. Olof Vineyard estate is sited on the bench of a coastal mountain foothill that hosts two types of soil, gravelly clay and clay loam, which well suit the Barbera, Nebbiolo, Malbec and Petit Verdot varietals grown there.

Three acres of the estate is also planted to the rare Lenoir varietal (red fleshed fruit), and is under contract to KAZ Wines.
 
Eric Olof is an adventuresome vintner and has dared to craft uncommon and unexpected wines such as their rosé of Barbera, a white Nebbiolo and a sparkling "method champenoise" Nebbiolo. They have two new blends, Marlbera (Malbec and Barbera), and Signature, a 50/50 blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera.
 
Artist Anna Sabalone returns to the Wine Studio alongside her mother Jennifer Sabalone, with a special display of works that explore the different creative perspective each artist has of the scene or subject they are viewing.

Jennifer Sabalone moved to Lake County from the Los Angeles area when she was 13. A graduate of Clear Lake High School, she received her BA in art and a secondary teaching credential from California State University, Fresno. She married shortly after college and moved back to Lake County where she and her husband raised their three children.
 
As a stay-at-home mom, there were always art materials available to her children. Sabalone became a 4-H leader and in that capacity encouraged the area youth to engage with the arts and enter their creations in the Lake County Fair.
 
In 1999 she accepted an art teaching position at Upper Lake Elementary School and taught there for 13 years. During that time she took watercolor and pastel classes at Mendocino Junior College from Lorraine Brady Arthur.

While teaching, Sabalone was fortunate to be able to show her students' work almost every year at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport. Inspired by the majesty and beauty of nature, she finds that Lake County offers endless subjects for representation.
 
Anna Sabalone was born and raised in Lake County. She has been involved in the Lake County Arts Council since her teen years.

She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Leeds, England for her undergraduate degree in English, history and anthropology. She earned her teaching credential and Masters of Education from UCSB and has been teaching art, English, history and Academic Decathlon at Upper Lake High School since 2008.

Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artist's shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
 
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m., and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.

The Sabalone duo art show will be on display for the full month of April.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake is one of 10 companies and organizations nationwide to receive gold-level recognition in 2017 for its commitment to worksite wellness.

The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) uses a rigorous set of criteria when evaluating organizations that compete to be recognized as among America’s healthiest companies.

The Well Workplace Gold Award recognizes quality and excellence in worksite health at a level with a comprehensive program that produces results.

St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake is one of nine Adventist Health organizations to receive the gold-level recognition; two additional Adventist Health organizations received silver recognition.

In total, 11 of the 15 companies to receive a WELCOA award in 2017 were affiliated with Adventist Health.

St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake has a robust wellness program led by a wellness committee that involves human resources, community wellness, nutrition services and communications leaders who collaborate together to motivate employees through innovative wellness programs and activities.

The WELCOA Well Workplace application process was led by Sylvia Dupper, a community wellness project coordinator for the organization.

“We believe that great health for our community starts with our own team, and this national recognition is great evidence that we’re doing the right things,” said Audrey Barrall, administrative director of human resources. “Our employees are our greatest asset, and we do everything we can to help them flourish physically, mentally spiritually and socially.”

In 2015, an employee fitness center was opened on the hospital campus that provides a free gym and personal training services to employees.

Employee Personal Trainer Lara Keyser leads regular free exercise classes and organizes regular “Be Well Challenges” to motivate employees to engage in exercise, healthy eating and other positive behaviors.

Enterprise-wide, the LivingWell whole-person health and wellness program provides additional resources and incentives for healthy behaviors.

St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake is continuing to grow its health promotion programs in 2017 by hosting Weight Watchers classes on-site with 100-percent reimbursement for employees and starting a free Live Nicotine Free program to help employees stop smoking.

“As a health care organization, we are the first to acknowledge that employee wellness is a key pillar in our success,” said Shelly Mascari, director of community wellness. “Our local and Adventist Health executive teams have a bold goal to lower employee health risks, increase our energy to care for our patients and to help each employee enjoy doing what they love.”

Learn more about the WELCOA Well Workplace Award at www.welcoa.org .

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REDWOOD VALLEY, Calif. – On Saturday, March 25, Terrace Vikings sent nine wrestlers – seven boys and two girls – to compete at the Eagle Peak Invitational Middle School Wrestling Tournament.

Out of the nine wrestlers competing for the Vikings, all nine would medal.

The Vikings finished with five gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal.

In the boys’ division, Nathan Pyorre (74 lbs.) went 2-0, including an exciting overtime match to win his gold medal.

Other boys gold medalists included Liam Davis (110 lbs.),who was 2-0 with one pin. Liam Wayment (176 lbs.) went 2-0 with two pins. Blake Moak (HWT) won two matches including one by pin to win his gold medal.

In the girls’ division, Ashley Pyorre (92 lbs.) went 2-0 with one pin and a major decision to win her gold medal.

Samuel Vanoven (102 lbs.), Axel Alvarez (134 lbs.) and Jonathan Werner (180 lbs.) each went 1-1 with one pin to win silver medals.

Girls wrestler Kiley Bartell (140 lbs.) brought home a bronze medal.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Unified School District Board of Trustees is asking parents and community members to attend meetings this week or take an online survey to weigh in on the search for a new district superintendent.

The meetings are planned for 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, in the lobby of the MAC at the Lakeport Unified School District Campus, 350 Lange St.; and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, in the board room at the district office, located at 2508 Howard Ave.

An online survey also is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LakeportParentSurvey .

The Lakeport Unified School Board is specifically asking for thoughts on what qualifications and personal characteristics community members would like to see in a new superintendent.

At a special meeting on March 16, the Lakeport Unified School Board voted unanimously to hire consultant Dr. Scott Mahoney to begin the process to recruit a new superintendent, as longtime Superintendent Erin Smith-Hagberg had a tentative employment offer from the Calistoga Joint Unified School District, as Lake County News has reported.

The following day, Calistoga Joint Unified School District officials offered their own formal announcement of Smith-Hagberg’s hiring as their new superintendent.

Smith-Hagberg’s contract ends on June 30, the last day of the school year. As such, Lakeport Unified is following an abbreviated superintendent recruitment timeline that seeks to have a new candidate ready for the board’s final approval by May 11 and ready to begin work on July 1.

The board also has opted for a confidential process in order to draw more qualified candidates in a short period of time.

The position is to be published beginning this week in state and national educator job boards.

At the March 16 meeting, the board identified the public meetings as a key part of the process to find Smith-Hagberg’s successor.

In a letter to the community, Lakeport Unified Board President Dennis Darling said applications for the new superintendent will be accepted between March 27 and April 21, with the board to interview the top candidates on April 27 and 28.

Community members are invited to submit specific input to Mahoney at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Darling said updates also will be posted on the district’s Web site, and he invited community members to reach out to board members on an individual basis.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Redbud Audubon is once again planning to host its Heron Days event, with registration now open to participate in the popular boat tours.

The boat tours are a rare opportunity to see nature up close on beautiful Clear Lake. Each day consists of six 90-minute tours leaving on the half hour between 8 and 11 a.m.

Tours from Lakeside County Park will take place on Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30. Tours from Shady Acres Campground are Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7.

Each boat will have an experienced Audubon guide to point out the birds being seen on the tours and explain their behaviors.

Besides several species of nesting herons and egrets, tour guests are likely to see nesting osprey and cormorants, yellow-headed blackbirds, and Western and Clark’s grebes in courtship displays where they “dance” in pairs across the lake surface.

Audubon leaders believe that through firsthand experience with nature people will come to understand the need to conserve and protect Lake County’s natural resources and habitats.

From Lakeside County Park you will be taken into Shirley Slough and west along the Clear Lake shoreline. Don’t confuse this park with Lake County Park in Lakeport. Lakeside County Park is on Park Drive off of Soda Bay Road.

From Shady Acres Campground, you will explore Anderson Marsh and the upper end of Cache Creek. There may be two-hour tours down Cache Creek to the dam if the lake level allows.

Shady Acres Campground in Clearlake is located right on Cache Creek north of Anderson Marsh. From Highway 53 turn west onto Old Highway 53 (Walmart is to the east), and make an immediate left onto Cache Creek Way. Follow it all the way down to the creek and campground.

The number of tours are limited. You’re encouraged to make your reservation as soon as possible as the available tickets for some of the most popular tour times may sell out quickly. Children 8 years of age and older are invited to attend.

Visit the Redbud Audubon Web site at www.redbudaudubon.org to register. For any questions regarding registration, call Evelyn Wachtel at 510-501-5375.

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