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Photo of the Month
Western Grebes, courting ritual
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
Pruning & Pastries - March 2
 Take the pruning challenge. The
6th annual Six Sigma Pruning and Pastries event will be held on Saturday, March 2, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Six Sigma Ranch. The event will kick-off with a team of professional pruners vying for prizes in a race for speed and accuracy. Professional judges will determine the winners.
Bring friends and family, watch the pros compete, then join a hands-on demonstration of winter pruning techniques. Just for fun, give the not-so-serious amateur pruning competition a try. Prizes will be awarded. Event fee of $15 per person includes a continental breakfast. Meet under the oak trees just inside the ranch gate, dressed for the weather. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended. Rain cancels the event. Reservations required.
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Stay
Lakeport English Inn, Lakeport 
Cheers and welcome to the beautiful, historic, Lakeport English Inn, built in 1875. It is a relaxing, fun, delightful and adventurous bed and breakfast that blends the elegant with the playful, and private time with new adventures. Guests are greeted with a tray of roses and sweets, a historic English country bed and breakfast welcome. The beds are fitted with Italian Frette linens, world renowned for their comfort and feel. All rooms have private bathrooms, televisions, DVD players with movie selections, wifi, sumptuous robes, and English soaps. Some rooms have double Jacuzzis. Each weekend morning enjoy the scent of coffee and the freshly cooked three course breakfast being prepared. Time to get up, put on a Lakeport English Inn robe, and come to breakfast.
On Friday and Saturday enjoy Tea & Scones at Four O'clock. Guests will be offered a hot cup of tea and a freshly baked scone. A cup of tea and a scone dressed with strawberry jam and Devonshire cream is known as a "Cream Tea". It is what most ordinary people in England have in the afternoon in order to slow down and regroup for the evening. It is a lovely tradition. Over the weekend guests can also enjoy Pub Thyme at Five O'clock. Lord Houghbie's Pub is the Inn's guest-only pub which serves wine, a nip of Guinness, and typical pub snacks to keep everyone in good cheer. Stop in and play a British trivia game; watch out for the trick questions, they stump a lot of people.
"We Love Valentine's Day" Special
Fantastic King and Queen rooms with double Jacuzzi, two glasses of Lake County wine, Tea at Four O'clock, and a full, fresh breakfast for $165 plus tax per night. Valentine's weekend only. (February 15-16) Be sure to mention where you saw this special.
675 N. Main Street, Lakeport
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Taste
Ceago Vinegarden 
Ceago Vinegarden is owned by Jim Fetzer, who grew up with his ten brothers and sisters in the vineyards of Mendocino County. The Fetzer Family built their business into an internationally-recognized and respected winery. In 1968, the Fetzer's started producing just a few dozen cases, and by the time the family sold the winery in 1992, Fetzer Vineyard was producing two and a half million cases of wine annually and was growing 1,200 acres of winegrapes certified organic. In 1993, Jim Fetzer established Ceago Vinegarden.
Ceago's vineyards share a 163-acre estate with palm and cypress trees, olive groves, fruit trees, walnuts, figs, lavender fields, vegetable and herb gardens, agaves, and riparian vegetation. Sheep and chickens roam the land, along with wild turkeys, raccoons, birds, butterflies, and native bees. All of these beings contribute to the vitality of Ceago's air and soil.
In 1996, Ceago Vinegarden's property received Biodynamic certification. Biodynamic farming encourages self-sustaining methods and the techniques utilize the vineyard's natural resources to cultivate the highest quality grapes without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms.
In addition to the farm, Ceago offers a tasting room, seasonal open-air cafe, a conference room, and an extra long pier where boats and seaplanes can dock.
Tasting Room open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5115 East Hwy 20, Nice
(707) 274-1462, www.ceago.com
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Farm to Table
Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Contributed by: Karan Mackey, Lakeport English Inn,  Lakeport
4 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups lavender flowers
1 1/4 cups and 1/2 cup sugar, divided
1 lb. unsalted butter, melted
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
With an electric mixer, blend together 1 1/4 cups sugar and butter. Add flour and mix thoroughly. Pat dough into ungreased jelly roll pan. Sprinkle dough with remaining sugar and lavender flowers. Pat the flowers into the dough (so they stay in place).
Bake 40-50 minutes, until the edges are just golden brown. In a convection oven, bake for 30 minutes only. Cut into squares while still warm. |
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Finding Treasures...
Art in Rural Places
Hillcrest Studio in Clearlake is offering Introduction to Art classes, as well as sessions for those a bit more advanced. With Open Studio times during the week in addition to a regular monthly Salon, this studio looks forward to enhancing creativity by encouraging artists to look at things from a different perspective and explore new mediums.
The Artisan Realm in Cobb is an art co-op where artists, musicians, creators, inventors, actors, and poets will share their passion and gifts with each other and the world. A unique place to gather, share, shop, learn, and play.
For a complete list of art galleries in Lake County, visit www.lakecounty.com |
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Valentine's Day
Restaurant Roundup
Lake County has many options, both intimate and fun, to make dinner with your Valentine a memorable occasion.
Keyboard artist Paul Kemp and vocalist Machiko will provide romantic background music for a lovely candlelight dinner at the Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant, Upper Lake.
Kelsey Creek Brewing, Kelseyville, is featuring "Spicy Lovers Ale". They have many microbrews on tap, and the nearby restaurants have developed menus paired with the brews which can be delivered upon request.
Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, Kelseyville, offers a cozy dining experience accented by works of highlighted Lake County Artists.
Boars Breath, Middletown, offers intimate lighting and menu options for every palate.
Riviera Hills Restaurant and Lounge, Kelseyville, provides a feeling of elegance in a casual setting.
Chic Le Chef, Hidden Valley Lake, offers delicious "prepared from scratch" meals available for take-out every weekday.
Howard's Grotto, Clearlake, has been providing great food and great service to residents and visitors of Lake County for many years. (707) 994-2323
For a complete list of restaurants in Lake County, visit www.lakecounty.com |
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Save the Date...
3/16 Rhythm & Brews - Enjoy a wide variety of microbrews, musical entertainment, St. Patricks's Day Costume & Kazoo Parade, and a chili cook-off. Prizes awarded. Open to all ages.
4/27 Wildflower Brunch - Fundraising event for the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association which features delicious fill-your-own omelets accompanied by pastries, fruit, and coffee. This fun, family-oriented day includes birding and nature walks, exhibits, and music.
5/25-26 Memorial Day Weekend - Weekend celebrations include parades, barbecues, live music, dancing, arts and crafts, and much more... |
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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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