The talk will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

Ransley will show off her seasonal crops already in the ground and will discuss topics such as soil types, amendments, which crops are generally good in this climate, and issues like microclimates created by hills, buildings, etc.

She also will cover the virtues of raised beds versus growing in the ground and how to live with sometimes losing significant amounts of plants to gophers, voles and other unidentified underground critters and deer.

This is a great no-cost opportunity to become more knowledgeable on how to grow your own garden that provides for a more productive local and sustainable harvest.

The public is welcome. Carpooling is available by meeting at the regular co-op location at 14773 Lakeshore Drive at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, contact Lori Patotzka at 994-1618.

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NICE – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake will hold its Spring Fling Luncheon and Awards event this Saturday, March 7.

The event will begin at noon at Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino, 1545 E. Highway 20. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Dr. Dean Edell will be the keynote speaker, presenting his book “Eat, Drink and Be Merry.” Edell will discuss how the health nags have made us all confused and paranoid, and he'll separate what's real and from what's hype in the world health.

Meet and honor Soroptimist's Lake County award winners: Three women will receive monetary awards to help them with their college expenses and improve their lives.

There also will be a raffle and silent auction.

Seating is limited. Tickets cost $50 per person. To RSVP call Bobbie Rivas at 350-4851. The ticket price covers lunch, beverage and the famous dessert bar.

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

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– The County of Lake has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for sidewalk upgrades from 4th Street to 6th Street. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 29

– A slide repair project from Lupiyoma Creek Bridge to Bar X Ranch will continue through Friday, March 6. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. A shoulder closure will be in effect. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the work area and may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Argonaut Constructors of Santa Rosa.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Bar X Ranch to Hidden Valley Road through Friday, March 6. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from 0.7 miles north of Bar X Ranch to 0.1 miles north of Spruce Grove Road beginning Monday, March 9. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Caltrans will continue routine maintenance from Cole Creek Bridge to Hill Creek Bridge. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work just south of Creamery Lane on Friday, March 6. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– PG&E of Eureka has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for tree trimming from 0.2 miles north of Airport Road to 0.3 miles south of Abalobadiah Circle on Friday, March 6. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Roadway repair due to pavement deterioration from 3.6 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road to 1.9 miles south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Brian Shuster of Willits has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work at California Street. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

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).

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The event is a fun, family-oriented weekend that features pontoon boat tours, birding and nature walks, exhibits, nature talks and children’s activities.

The annual Wildflower Brunch, prepared by the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association, will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to noon. It features a build-your-own omelet with choice of fillings, served with pastries, fruit and coffee. The cost for the brunch is $15. Advance brunch reservations and payment are requested and may be made online by visiting www.heronfestival.org or by calling 800-525-3743.

On Saturday and Sunday, pontoon boat excursions will take visitors along the shoreline of Clear Lake to view nesting herons, egrets, grebes, and other shorebirds. The 90-minute boat trips will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Experienced Audubon birding guides will accompany each boat to share information about the birds and wildlife seen on each trip.

The excursions will leave from the Clear Lake State Park marina and cost is $15 per person for the pontoon boat trips. Advance reservations are required and may be made online by visiting www.heronfestival.org or by phone at 800-525-3743.

The Visitor Center at Clear Lake State Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, the Visitor Center Auditorium will feature speaker presentations, slide shows, and videos on local birds and wildlife. Topics will range from the weekend’s featured herons, wildflowers, and hummingbirds.

The center features interpretive displays of Lake County’s natural and cultural resources including an erupting volcano, a Pomo Indian village, a mountain lion cave, and dioramas of the woodland and riparian habitats in the park. The gift shop offers educational and entertaining nature items.

Nature and bird walks will be led by local park docents and Audubon guides who are specialists in the park’s birds and wildlife. A nature fair with numerous outdoor exhibit booths will present conservation and nature displays, and educational materials. Nature-related arts and crafts also will be available.

Another highlight of the weekend, especially for children, is “Raptor Speak,” where live owls and other birds of prey join Curator Jenny Papkas from Native Bird Connections to offer an opportunity to see raptor behavior up close. Learn about these lively non-releasable raptors in a fun and informative talk and bird demonstration which is offered twice on Sunday.

Dr. Harry Lyons, Professor of Biology and Ecology at the Clear Lake Campus of Yuba College, offers an entertaining program on Sunday that mixes biology, music, and humor to tell the story of Clear Lake. In “Myths and Music of Clear Lake,” Dr. Lyons gives the history and biology of the lake’s more than two million years of existence and the importance of its ecosystem to the birds, fish, and wildlife of Lake County.

During Heron Festival weekend, admission to Clear Lake State Park is free. Except for the boat rides and brunch, all other festival activities also are free. Camping sites are available through the state park reservation system. Local resort, motel, and bed-and-breakfast reservations are available through www.lakecounty.com or by calling 800-525-3743.

For more information, call 800-525-3743 or visit www.heronfestival.org.

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Lake County Pride will be a nonprofit organization catering to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersexed, queer and questioning community of Lake County.

The purpose of this group will be to serve as an umbrella providing educational resources and social activities to the community in a safe environment.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. at the Lakehouse Inn and Bistro at 14165 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.

Each member will be participating in $1 raffles where the money will be going to the organization.

Plans for social hour and a dance are already commenced.

For more information come to the Wednesday meeting.

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