The discussion and book signing begins at 2 p.m.

Fuller's new book, “Meth Monster,” takes a look into the abyss of an American drug pandemic.

A reader comment on the book notes, “This book is a must read for anyone that meth has crossed their path in any way. I'm reading it for the second time and still can't put it down.”

Wild About Books is located at 14290 Olympic Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-9453. Visit the store online at www.wildaboutbooks.net .

The event will start at 2 p.m.

Bartholomew is author of “Gold: A Tale of the California Gold Rush,” “Chapel Perilous” and “The Terrorist Plot at Gopherville.”

He will share from his three books and will be available for book signings. Whether you enjoy mystery, history, satirical humor or fiction, you will enjoy Bartholomew's books.

Wild About Books is located at 14290 Olympic Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-9453. Visit the store online at www.wildaboutbooks.net .

Music director and conductor John Parkinson had his orchestra fine tuned for an extravagant presentation of Christmas favorites, both secular and religious, and its members delivered.

As an example Kelseyville keyboardist Tom Ganoung took the lead on "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and played the riffs laid down originally by Vince Guaraldi, to perfection.

"I practiced this for 40 hours to make sure I got it right," he later confessed. And get it right he did.

Earlier the nearly three-score members of the symphony had presented a medley of popular holiday tunes ending with all seven themes from the "Nutcracker Suite" by Tchaikovsky, followed by a series of holiday favorites ending with Victor Herbert's timeless "March of the Toys" from "Babes in Toyland."

A tradition at CLPA concerts is an intermission snack of homemade cookies served by members of the group's auxiliary, but in this instance the size of the audience nearly overwhelmed the service. However, most attendees were able to get fortified and back into their seats in time to enjoy a medley by Laura Smith on fiddle and her younger brother Darin on cello, who proved to be audience favorites.

Then more than a dozen gifted young musicians making up the CLPA Youth Orchestra, directed by Wes Follett, played another holiday medley, followed by a set arranged specifically for the orchestra by conductor Parkinson.

Paula Samonte, a jazz solist from Ukiah who has become a hallmark with the symphony's Christmas concert, was back after missing a year while in Rome on a singing sabbatical, and won applause with her four number set, after which the members of the orchestra donned red Santa hats for another four-number medley, except for Parkinson whose Christmas hat was, appropriately, royal purple.

Individual musicians recognized by Parkinson and the audience included flutist Catherine Hall, Clarinetist Matt Rothstein and trombonist Cory Cunningham, although most listeners would probably award ribbons to all 57 members of the orchestra.

Carl Stewart, a Lake County school administrator and Kelseyville resident, led a sing along, and then – following the orchestra's adaptation of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," complete with clopping hoofbeats, whipcracks and a final whinny – joined a group of talented vocalists in leading the audience in singing Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus."

They included Gail Dyne, who usually sings with the Sweet Adelines; Carol Cole Lewis, a member of Eareverance; Sue Condit; Bill Bordisso; and Clovice Lewis. Stewart sings with the group "Blue Collar." The audience rose to their feet to join in singing the Christmas classic.

At the concert's conclusion the audience appeared reluctant to let the musicians go home. Protracted applause drew conductor Parkinson back for a curtain call. and eventually he was permitted to leave. Vocalist Samonte had earlier saluted Lake County music lovers for keeping its symphony going.

"Across the country orchestras like this are failing," she noted "So I give thanks to all of you here today for keeping this wonderful music alive in Lake County."

Clear Lake Performing Arts is the sole sponsor of the Lake County Symphony, as well as the CLPA Youth Orchestra, and several other local music support activities.

Paul Brewer, president of CLPA said that more than 400 people attended the concert generating the largest gross of any show ever presented by his group.

Bottle Rock features the "blue velvet" voice and percussion stylings of Neon as well as leader/guitarist/vocalist Mike Wilhelm, who is the author and performer of two songs on the Grammy-nominated Rhino Records four-CD boxed set “Love Is the Song We Sing: San Francisco Nuggets 1965 – 1970.”

Also featured are the hot tenor sax solos of James "Jimmy the Lion" Leonardis.

The Blue Wing is located on Main Street, Upper Lake adjacent to the Tallman Hotel and is open every day from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

For further information go to www.bluewingsaloon.com . For further information about Mike Wilhelm go to www.flyingsnail.com/Scrapbook/Mike_Wilhelm.html and for live performance videos go to www.youtube.com/themonkeybeat .