LAKEPORT
Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival cancelled
The Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival (AKA Winefest), a major fundraiser for the Lake County Symphony planned for September 18 at Library Park, has been cancelled due to the latest COVID-19 surge. Cancellations of planned events have become increasingly common by community organizations in recent days in Lake County. It’s all about the COVID threat and concerns about public safety due to the poor record of vaccinations and mask compliance in Lake County, one of the “hotspots” in California. Since over 35 percent of Lake County residents are not vaccinated, organizers made this difficult choice to protect fellow residents in Lake County, particularly the unvaccinated, which includes children under age 12.
Statistics which are readily available online from a variety of trusted sources, show COVID 19 cases are on the rise again due to the more contagious and deadly Delta variant. The CDC now recommends all people in high-risk areas like Lake County should continue to wear masks indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status. Health officials are concerned because without widespread compliance with masking and vaccinations, the virus will continue to spread and possibly mutate again into even more dangerous variants, possibly forcing another “lockdown” that would affect employment and public education. Increasing cases of COVID-19 are already putting a strain on hospitals and reducing the availability of care for people who need surgeries, preventive tests or emergency care in some states.
Carl Fredrickson, president of the Symphony Wine Club explained, “After looking thoroughly at the statistics, we felt that even at an outdoor event like ours, the virus could be spread, since even people who chose to wear a mask would have to take it off to do wine and beer tasting. I am not happy about it. A lot of hard work went into the organization of our Winefest. There was anger, disappointment and even some tears after most Wine Club members voted to cancel the Winefest for a second year.”
Fredrickson added, “Speaking only for myself, I just wish that everyone would get vaccinated and wear a mask to protect others. This pandemic could be over by now if more people had done that. Now we may be looking at requiring ‘vaccine passports’ everywhere so we can get back to normal life.”
—Submitted
CALIFORNIA
Statewide Fire Summary
As of Monday morning press time, there were more than 14,500 firefighters making progress on 14 major wildfires and four extended attack wildfires in California. Over the weekend, firefighters also responded to 40 new initial attack wildfires across the state. Of those initial attacks, three wildfires broke out into large or extended attack fires, but progress is being made on all three.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 2 million acres have burned in California. While firefighters continue battling the current major wildfires, CAL FIRE and fire departments across the state remain prepared for potential more significant wildfires due to critical fire weather.
A Fire Weather Watch is in effect today through Thursday for critical fire weather due to gusty wind and low humidity in parts of Modoc County.
In Northern California, unusually warm and dry conditions remain through today. Light northwest-west-southwest wind flow through today, with localized gusts of 20 – 25 mph within 0the mountains. Beginning today, expect gusty winds and marginally low relative humidity in the coastal range and north eastern part of the state. Lightning potential increases in the upcoming week. Moisture will flow northward ahead of initial wave tonight and create a slight chance of drier showers and thunderstorms across the far northwest corner of the state. Slight cooling with higher relative humidity from west to east beginning today through Wednesday.
In the southern region, temperatures will remain 5 – 10 degrees above normal through next weekend. The potential for large fire will remain elevated away from the coastal areas through next weekend as hot and very dry conditions continue. Isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms possible over the mountains and deserts of Southern California, east and south of Interstate 15 Wednesday and Thursday.
Are you prepared if a wildfire should strike nearby? Making a quick and safe evacuation is critical to protecting your life and your family. To learn ways to be prepared, visit
www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
—Submitted
LAKE COUNTY
Lake County Women’s Civic Club panning 2021022 fundraising season
The Ladies of the (soon to be known as), Lake County Women’s Civic Club, previously Lakeport Women’s Civic Club, caused an early morning traffic jam at Ripe Choice Farm today as they arrived from all over the county to kick off their 2021-22 fundraising season.
President, Helen Finch and President Elect, Kim Baldwin have an enthusiastic agenda for the Lake County Women’s Civic Club this year and will be actively recruiting civic minded young professionals to help
continue their hundred year tradition of service to Lake County.
Meetings are held in the first Friday of each month ,except July and August. Meeting place is undetermined at this time as a committee is researching possibilities around the lake. Prior to COVID, LWCC hosted 50-60 women for lunch each month. Where to have lunch s proving to be a challenge for many local service groups who are concerned about COVID safety.
As the Lake County Women’s Civic Club, the group is looking forward to creating more of a presence around the county and bringing a little business to different establishments around the lake may provide a win/win for all.
If you are interested in joining the LWCC in raising funds and serving your community, please call Helen Finch at 707-972-1807.
—Submitted
—Compiled by Ariel Carmona Jr.
