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Photo of the Month
Wood Ducks
Photo Credit - Faith, www.eyesofthewild.us |
Greetings!
Visit Lake County is the official resource for upcoming events, fun activities, exciting wineries, and cool places to stay - all designed to help you make the most out of your next visit to Lake County. If you'd like personal assistance planning your stay, just call (800) LAKESIDE to speak with one of our friendly Lake County concierges. - The Visit Lake County team |
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Play
Christmas Bird Count - December 15
Prior to the turn of the century, people engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt": They would choose sides and go afield with their guns; whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.
Conservation was in its beginning stages around the turn of the 20th century, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman, an early officer in the then-budding Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition--a "Christmas Bird Census"--that would count birds in the holidays rather than hunt them.
So began the annual Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Frank M. Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders, 25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario, to Pacific Grove, California, with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America. Those original 27 Christmas Bird Counters tallied around 90 species on all the counts combined.
This year, on December 15, the Redbud Audubon Society will be holding its annual Christmas Bird Count. The bird count gives nature enthusiasts in Lake County the opportunity to take part in the Audubon Society's longest-running wintertime tradition.
The tradition occurs all across the western hemisphere. Last year the local count logged 143 species.
www.redbudaudubon.org or (707) 928-5591
*History of the Christmas Bird Count courtesy of Audubon. |
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Stay
Tallman Hotel, Upper Lake 
Located on historic Main Street in Upper Lake, the Tallman Hotel is a country inn that was originally built in the 1890s when Upper Lake was a stage terminus for visitors to the area's many hot springs resorts.
The hotel features 17 guestrooms, each uniquely designed with Eastlake-style furniture, antique plumbing fixtures, fluffy beds, and Molton Brown Bath Products. Other amenities include continental breakfast, in-room coffee, television, WiFi, and small refrigerator. On-site amenities include gardens, wrap-a-round decks, pool and whirlpool spa, as well as the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant.
The Tallman Hotel features a Wine Touring Package that includes a five-hour limousine tour with a knowledgeable driver for up to six people...add a picnic lunch prepared by the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant.
Ring in the New Year at The Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant for a special New Year's Eve Dinner with quiet music culminating at midnight NEW YORK TIME (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.). In fact, make it a long weekend with the Wine Touring Package and New Year's Dinner in beautiful Lake County.
9550 Main Street, Upper Lake
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Taste
Beaver Creek Vineyards, Middletown
Beaver Creek Vineyards is Organic and Biodynamic Certified with sheep and goats that graze and fertilize the vineyards. The micro-flora of the vineyards works harmoniously with the fauna, thus creating a complete circle. Grapes are harvested by hand, selecting only the best grapes for the wines. In the cellar, the winemaking process is natural, with no additives. Wines are aged in 50 percent new French, Hungarian, and American oak barrels. All wine is handcrafted from beginning to end.
Open daily 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
22000 Highway 29, Middletown
(707) 987-1069, www.beavercreekvineyards.com |
Farm to Table
Contributed by: Lake County Farmers' Finest 
Pear flavors are very delicate. Choose the most aromatic pears you can find. Limit the spices if your pears are not very ripe to begin with or add a little pear brandy toward the end of cooking.
10 cups peeled, chopped pears
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup honey
1 cup seedless raisins
1 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
3 cups cider vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
Pear brandy to taste
In large pot, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 1 1/2 hours, continuing to stir occasionally. To prepare the jars, wash them with very hot, soapy water, then rinse them well and put them in a warm oven, taking the jars out one or two at a time when filling them. Remove from heat and pour into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/8" headspace. Add lids and rings and process jars in a boiling water bath in a canner or large pot for 15 minutes. Remove the canner/pot from the heat, and let water stop boiling before removing jars. Carefully remove jars and let sit. As they cool, the jars will seal themselves with a "pop." Label and store in a cool, dry, dark place. |
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Finding Treasures...
Art in Rural Places
Looking for something out of the ordinary?
Clarke's Collectibles and Lunchbox Museum in Nice. Step into the past at the Lunchbox Museum. More than 700 lunchboxes on display, as well as other collectibles. Gift shop featuring games, dolls, toys, and vintage and retro collectibles.
Clayton Creek Studios in Clearlake designs mica lamp shades laminated with photographic imagery, colorful pigments, or natural leaves, then pairs them with custom lamps crafted from unique art objects and antiques.
Main Street Gallery in Lakeport. Lake County Arts Council gallery. Sculptures in all media, paintings, prints, drawing, pottery, and jewelry by local artists. Student gallery. Gift shop.
For a complete list of galleries in Lake County, visit www.lakecounty.com |
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Lake County
Country Christmas
Don't miss the wonderful holiday activities in Lake County - tree lightings, parades, craft faires, and much more.
11/17-12/16 Victorian Christmas Fair & High Tea - Handmade candy canes, dolls, candles, French soaps, tea pots, holiday decorations, and more. Wednesday through Sunday. Lakeport English Inn, Lakeport.
11/24-1/6 Mystery of the Christmas Star - Taylor Observatory planetarium show. Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. and 4 p.m., in Kelseyville.
12/1-2, 12/6, 12/8-9 Miracle on 34th Street - The Lake County Theatre Company will present Miracle on 34th Street at the Gard Street School in Kelseyville. 12/1, 6, and 8 at 7:00 p.m. and 12/2, 8, and 9 at 2:00 p.m.
12/1 Country Christmas Craft Faire - Hosted by the Lakeport Senior Center. Local artists, handcrafted gifts. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Lakeport.
12/2 Christmas Boutique - Handcrafted jewelry, glassware, wood crafts, fabric, etc. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course, Hidden Valley Lake.
12/7 Christmas in the Country - Old-fashioned country Christmas featuring a merchant open house and parade of lights with hot cider, hot cocoa, cookies, music, pictures with Santa and a tree lighting at the firehouse.
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Main Street, Kelseyville.
12/8 Holiday Tree Lighting and Light Parade - Annual holiday celebration in historic downtown Upper Lake which is decorated with teddy bears as part of a nearly 30-year tradition. Starting at 6:00 p.m. with tree lighting then on to the parade, caroling, 4-H barbecue, refreshments, and photos with Santa.
12/8 Christmas at the Ranch - Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas at Anderson Marsh. Sing Christmas songs with local entertainers. Santa Claus will be available for the children. Free hot cider, coffee, and lots of cookies and treats provided. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Lower Lake.
12/8 Holiday Tree Lighting - Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, musical entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, and refreshments. 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hidden Valley Lake.
12/8 Christmas in Middletown - Photos with Santa, light parade, carolers, live nativity, kids' scavenger hunt, food, and the shops will be open late. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., downtown Middletown.
12/8-9 Christmas Show - Earth and Fire Pottery Studio. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Cobb.
12/8-9 & 12/15-16 Shannon Ridge Family Christmas - The Shannon Ridge Family of Wines invites you to join them as they celebrate this holiday season. Take photos with Santa, roast marshmallows, bottle feed baby lambs. Local vendors, arts and crafts, baked goods, gift baskets, and Christmas tree lot. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Clearlake Oaks at the new tastingroom.
12/16 Christmas Celebration Concert - Performance by the Lake County Symphony Orchestra. 3:00 p.m. Soper-Reese Theatre, Lakeport. |
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Save the Date...
1/26 Ice Bowl Disc Golf, Lakeport
2/9 Wine and Chocolate, Lakeport
4/21 Kelseyville Olive Festival, Kelseyville |
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If you're planning a visit or considering re-locating to Lake County, find out what this beautiful area has to offer. Take a Video Tour of Lake County |
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