Christy Zurcher is hosting the event as part of her senior project.

Zurcher’s career goal is to become a librarian and is working with the library staff on several projects in the library. She is learning book ordering, displays and publicity.

Everyone is invited to attend, but the intended audience is children, younger teens and parents.

Refreshments and free bookmarks will be provided.

The library is located at 1425 N. High St. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

Visit the Lake County Library Web site at http://library.co.lake.ca.us or on Facebook.

The senior center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive, corner of 10^th and Country Club, in Lucerne.

The center serves breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon.

The public is invited. Membership in the Lake County Democratic Club is open to registered members of the Democratic Party.

For more information contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-277-0713.

The event will be held at Mt. Konocti Growers, 2550 Big Valley Road, Lakeport, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13.

This year’s event, a benefit for Lake Family Resource Center, is presented by Kathy Fowler Auto Center, Mt. Konocti Growers, Robinson Rancheria Bingo & Casino, Umpqua Bank and other donors and sponsors.

More than 25 Lake County wineries are participating, and many are pouring multiple premium Lake County wines, including sparkling wines, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Primitivo and ports.

Luscious chocolates have been paired by Certified Sommelier Stephanie Green of Focused on Wine in Kelseyville.

Green, currently pursuing her Masters in Wine sponsored by Gina Gallo, says Wine & Chocolate is one of her favorite local wine events.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for local wineries to present premium wines to a wide audience,” said Green.

In addition to tasting wine an chocolate, entertainment includes raffles, workshops, conversations with winemakers, a new “Name that Grape” contest, and an antique car show (weather permitting).

Participants also will be able to vote on their favorite pairing. Wine Country box lunches will be available for purchase at a nominal charge.

Proceeds from the Wine & Chocolate Festival benefit the programs and services of Lake Family Resource Center.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and are available at the following locations:

• Brassfield Estate Winery, Clearlake Oaks;

• Focused on Wine, Kelseyville;

• Kathy Fowler Auto Center, Lakeport;

• Hillside Honda, Lakeport;

• Lake County Wine Studio, Upper Lake;

• Lakeport Chamber of Commerce, Lakeport;

• Lakeshore Feed & Grain, Clearlake;

• Lake Family Resource Center, Kelseyville Offices;

• Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Middletown;

• Moore Family Wines, Cobb;

• People Services, Lakeport;

• Rosa d ‘Oro, Kelseyville;

• Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Clearlake Oaks;

• Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyards & Winery, Lower Lake;

• Wild About Books, Clearlake;

• Wildhurst Vineyards, Kelseyville.

For more information, call 707-279-0563 or 888-775-8336.

LAKE COUNTY – Celeste Settrini, president of California Women for Agriculture, was the guest speaker at the year’s first meeting of the Lake County Chapter of CWA.

Gathering at Zino’s Ristorante in Soda Bay for a convivial evening that included music by David Neft were 57 members, guests, and prospective members interested in learning more about the current challenges being faced by the local farming community.

The group was welcomed by chapter president Toni Scully, Lakeport, who introduced Sausha Racine, Lakeport, vice president; Bonnie Sears, Lakeport, secretary; and Paula Bryant, Hidden Valley Lake, treasurer.

Area representatives Nellie Dorn, Kelseyville; Linda Juntunen, Lakeport; Matilda Robinson, Upper Lake; and Sue Steiner and Sally Beckner, south county, were acknowledged.

Present at the event were past president Margaret Eutenier, newsletter editor; charter president Marilyn Holdenried, sunshine chairman; Janice Stokes, historian; and past presidents Wilda Shock and Carolyn Henderson-Rohner. Also present was Diane Henderson, CWA liaison to the Lake County Farm Bureau board of directors.

Retiring co-presidents Joanne Van Eck and Stephanie Green, secretary Mireya Turner, and treasurer Carol Robertson were thanked for their volunteer service to the organization during the past two years.

Settrini, a fourth generation Monterey County and San Benito County cattle rancher and member of the Salinas Valley Chapter, has vowed to visit all 22 CWA chapters in California during her two years as state president.

Lake County was her first stop, where she expressed her appreciation for the partnership enjoyed by agricultural affiliates in this area.

She noted that 2010 provides several opportunities for involvement at the local and statewide level. CWA will have a presence at the World Ag Expo in Tulare next month, as well as during a joint meeting in March with the California Cattlewomen. Members from throughout California will gather in Sacramento on March 23 for Capital Ag Day, meeting with legislators and other elected officials.

Scully invited the Lake County members to meet the challenge of educating their neighbors about local farming practices and operations.

“They need to see our family farmers as responsible stewards of the land, toiling on farms and ranches that have proven to be sustainable over generations,” she said, adding that CWA should “enlist the help and support of all people who want to help protect our ability to farm.”

Community members interested in learning more about helping to sustain an agricultural way of life in Lake County are invited to contact Toni Scully at 707-263-7327, or write to P.O. Box 279, Finley 95435.