KELSEYVILLE – Local and state dignitaries will be speaking at the “Wild Affair In Your Park” celebration at Clear Lake State Park on Oct. 4.

This celebration also will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Outdoor Education Pavilion.

Congressman Mike Thompson, a longtime supporter of state parks, is very familiar with this project. Former State Senator Wes Chesbro has also championed parks, and in particular Clear Lake State Park during the last critical staff shortage of 1998.

State Park Director Ruth Coleman has taken a keen interest in our local Outdoor Education Pavilion. She sees it as a shining example of merging local community support with state parks to create more educational opportunities.

Both Supervisors Rob Brown and Denise Rushing have recently been involved with the county's purchase of a considerable portion of Mount Konocti. This acreage is contiguous to Clear Lake State Park.

“I am extremely pleased with the support of these dignitaries and the local community for our project, the Outdoor Education Pavilion,” said Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association President Madelene Lyon.

“Our goal for the project is to leave 'No child left inside,' Lyon added. “We will showcase the local restaurants, wineries and musical talents at this grand finale fundraiser.”

The cost is $35 per person.

For further information and reservations please call 279 4395.

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LAKE COUNTY – The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners of Lake County are very pleased to announce the release of their 2009 Lake County Master Gardener Calendar. The calendar was produced with Lake County home gardeners in mind.

The 2009 calendar theme is "Growing Edibles in Lake County" and includes monthly information on what to plant, harvest, and tips on what to watch for in the garden. There are also recipes to help make use of the garden bounty.

All information in the Master Gardener calendar has been written with Lake County growing conditions in mind, which makes it a unique, as well as useful gift for local home gardeners.

The calendar is now available for $10 if purchased at the UCCE office, or $12 if mailed. For further information, or to order the calendar, contact UC Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, 263-6838, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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LAKE COUNTY – Frances Clark Sayers, in “Summoned by Books,” commented that “… it takes an extraordinary amount of vitality on the part of the author to set people on literary pilgrimage to haunts that have been described in his books.”

Stephenie Meyer’s wildly popular “Twilight” series about human teen Bella Swan and her benevolent vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen has vitality, drama and chaste passion in abundance.

Astounding numbers of ardent “Twilight” fans flock to remote Forks, Wash. to see the settings of the books “Twilight,” “Eclipse, “New Moon” and “Breaking Dawn.”

To bring Forks to Lake County “Twilight” fans, the Lake County Library is presenting a traveling exhibit “A Forks Scrapbook” which will visit each library branch in the next few weeks. The exhibit includes photos taken around Forks, La Push and Port Angeles, a “Twilight” guide to Forks, and other materials. “Twilight”-related handouts will be available for fans of Bella and Edward.

The exhibit opened at Lakeport Library on Sept. 13 (Bella’s birthday) and will remain there through Sept. 27. It will be at Upper Lake Library Oct. 1 through 11, Redbud Library in Clearlake Oct. 17 through 30, and Middletown Library Nov. 1 through 15.

Forks is a small town that fell on hard times with the loss of its logging industry, and the “Twilight” phenomenon has brought unexpected tourism to the town. Forks has adopted Bella and the other characters almost as if they were real people: “Dr. Cullen” has a reserved parking space at the hospital and “Bella’s” red truck is parked by the museum.

The locals are happy to point out all of the “Twilight” locations, including the “homes” of the Swans and the Cullens. Businesses in Forks sell “Twilight” merchandise and advertise that “Bella shops here. Forks is making the most of its 15 minutes of fame with a great deal of good humor.

For a longer version of this story and more information about the “Twilight” series, Stephenie Meyer and the Forks area, see the library Website, www.co.lake.ca.us/Page386.html, and click on “Twilight.” Fans will find links to other Twilight sites, a Stephenie Meyer/Bella Swan recommended reading list, and lists of “Twilight” readalikes.

The library phone numbers are Lakeport Library, 263-8817; Redbud Library; 994-5115; Middletown Library, 987-3674; Upper Lake Library, 275-2049.

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CLEARLAKE – Olympic Village Apartments, Clearlake’s newest senior affordable housing community, has announced the completion of Olympic Village.

Applications are now being taken for units in the complex, which is offering move-in specials.

Olympic Village Apartments is a brand new, 54-unit community consisting of one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging in size between 530 and 750 square feet.

Each apartment home has plush carpeting and vinyl flooring, window treatments, all kitchen appliances, central air and heat and washer/dryer connections.

The common area includes a recreational and community room including kitchen facilities, social areas and lounge seating, and spacious laundry center. Computers are available with online access.

The community was constructed in 2008 and is currently leasing. The development was designed by KTGY and constructed by National Affordable Communities Inc. and the Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing as the nonprofit partner. Financing provided by AIG Sun America.

National Affordable Communities Inc. and its joint venture partners are dedicated to providing affordable housing to cities and counties throughout California, and they specialize in the development of low income housing, under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, Tax Exempt Bond financing.

The participation of and endorsement by cities and counties allow the partners to provide lower than market rents to qualified tenants. By providing very affordable rents, residents are able to save their resources to get a better education to improve their economic situation and overall life experience.

Affordable housing communities often serve larger social needs as well, helping to stabilize and reinvigorate neighborhoods in decline, or creating “infill” housing opportunities in redevelopment areas. National Affordable Communities Inc. strive to deliver an attractive product that is in distinguishable from market-rate apartment complexes in the surrounding community.

Olympic Village is managed by Buckingham Property Management.

Please call 707-994-2408 for several move-in specials. Visit the property at 15097 Olympic Drive, Clearlake.

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LAKEPORT – A meeting later this month will looks at redevelopment projects in Lakeport.

The Lakeport Redevelopment Agency in conjunction with the Lakeport Main Street Association will conduct a public workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The intent of this meeting will be to update the community on the status of the downtown Redevelopment projects, including:

• Issuance of redevelopment bonds;

• Façade Grant Program;

• Third Street/City Hall parking lot project;

• Draft Waterfront Redevelopment Plan;

• Conceptual Harbor acquisition and development;

• Retail recruitment efforts;

• Hotel project request for qualifications;

• South Main Street – Lakeport Boulevard projects;

• Five Year Implementation Plan; and

• Future public and private project development.

Anyone interested in the future of downtown Lakeport is encouraged to attend and participate in this workshop.

For more information call Redevelopment Manager Richard Knoll at 263-8840.

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