Martin edited and wrote several pieces for “Hos, Hookers, Call Girls, and Rent Boys: Professionals writing on life, love, money, and sex.”

The book, by Martin and David Henry Sterry, recently was the cover story for the New York Times Book Review and has been favorably critiqued in several additional publications.

There will be a lively discussion and good refreshments.

Afterward, continue an artist's appreciation evening as Main Street celebrates new art at the Lake County Arts Council's First Friday Fling at the Main Street Gallery, just a few doors down from Watershed Books, from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Watershed Books is located at 305 N. Main St. in Lakeport, telephone 707-263-5787.

The reception will be held from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m.

The work of six new artists will be featured in the October show.

While Bruce Vandariss has worked in many mediums, for this show he is exhibiting vivid paintings done in colored pencil.

Keith Nelson's 8-foot metal giraffe gains immediate attention as you walk into the gallery, but take time to examine his other work as well.

Bill Blum returns with his miniature wooden gnome homes, each one with a surprise twist.

To accompany them, Chris Schreier has fashioned wee folk art gnomes.

Sunny Franson's beautifully executed oils reflect wonderfully soft scenes of Lake County; but especially captivating is Sunny's ability to capture the quiet beauty of wolves and other wildlife. Judy Cardinale shows her fine ability to put brush to canvas with her colorful and well executed work in oils. Rounding out this fine collection of artists is the intricately fashioned jewelry by Anna Koot.

Continuing in the October show are Ellen Tobin in photography, Bill Bartram in pastels and Rose Hodkins in oil. Gaylene McComb's clay creations, and Paula Strothers, Diane Constable and Paula Starkey in acrylics.

Returning to the Linda Carpenter Gallery to show their ever growing talent and experimenting with various mediums and techniques are students from Cobb Mountain under the energetic tutelage of Linda Prather.

Please join us for this evening of Art, meet the featured artists and sample the award winning wines of the Cleavage Creek Winery. Michael Barrish and Stephen Sommers will provide delightful background music, as they sing and play songs written by Michael. We look forward to meeting you, sharing our Gallery and bringing even more and new artistic talent to you in the months ahead.

The Main Street Gallery and Gift Shop is located at 325 N. Main St., Lakeport.

For more information call 707-263-6658.

The event is sponsored by Clear Lake Performing Arts (CLPA).

Burgess has studied with the preeminent Argentinian guitarist Manuel Lopez Ramos, and later was chosen as the first recipient of the Andres Segovia Fellowship, after which he studied periodically with Segovia, probably the world's foremost classical guitarist until his death in 1987.

Segovia gave Burgess high praise, calling him an artist “with a magnificent technique.”

Hope Brewer, CLPA concerts arrangements chair, said that it was a rare occasion for Lake County music lovers to have the chance to meet, see and hear an artist of David Burgess' international stature without leaving home.

“It's a concert not to be missed,” she said.

Praised by critics for his polished technique and flamboyant style, Burgess has performed throughout North and South America, Europe and the Far East, as well as having recorded for CBS Masterworks, Musical Heritage Society, Tritone and Athena records.

He has won top honors in many international music competitions, including the Ponce International in Mexico City, Guitar '81 in Toronto and the 31st International Music Competition in Munich.

In recent years he has traveled often to Brazil, rediscovering guitar music from Brazil's past as well as many contemporary works, with many of the forming the basis of his first Lake County concert.

His program will begin with some of the oldest known guitar music, written in Spain at the time of Columbus, and include Spanish Baroque works along with pieces by such noted composers as Isaac Albeniz and Joaquin Rodrigo.

The second half of the program will feature contrasting guitar works from different Latin American countries including Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina and Bolivia, with music from such composers as Agustin Barrios and Antonio Carlos Jobin.

General admission is $20, or $15 for CLPA members, with young people under 18 admitted free of charge.

For information call 707-277-7076.

Budge Brown with breast cancer survivor models on the 2008 vintages. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE – October 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Blue Wing Saloon & Café in Upper Lake plans a special “Meet the Winemaker” event to kick off the month on Friday, Oct. 2.

Both the restaurant and the winemaker will contribute part of the proceeds to selected breast cancer research organizations.

On the first Friday of each month, the Blue Wing hosts a Lake County winemaker and Chef Mark Linback creates an optional four course dinner designed to pair well with the featured wines.

“For October, we’re delighted to feature the great Cleavage Creek wines and to host Budge Brown, the inspiration behind those wines,” said Blue Wing owner Bernie Butcher. “I’m also looking forward to meeting some of the breast cancer survivors featured on the Cleavage Creek labels.”

Cleavage Creek produces award winning wines for a lifesaving cause. Ten percent of the gross proceeds of all Cleavage Creek wines are donated to selected breast cancer funds, with over $56,000 having been donated to date.

For this special month, the Blue Wing Saloon will contribute an additional 10 percent of all by-the-bottle sales of Cleavage Creek wines at the dinner and throughout the month of October.

Budge Brown, successful self-made businessman, farmer and owner of Tulip Hill Wines in Nice, enjoyed 48 years of marriage with his wife Arlene. When she lost her battle with breast cancer in 2005, he was devastated.

Devastation turned to anger. Anger led to action. “My wife died for no damn good reason,” he said. “It’s time to do something about this.”

The label of each bottle of Cleavage Creek wine features the image of an actual breast cancer survivor whose inspiring story is told on the Cleavage Creek Web site.

As Brown said, “putting a face on this disease and telling the stories of those who are dealing with it makes it personal and hopefully inspires everyone to take on the fight.”

He addeed, “I am delighted to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year with a great dinner at the Blue Wing Saloon. We invite everyone to join us to support this cause and enjoy these festivities.”

The menu for the evening and other information is available at www.BlueWingSaloon.com .

Reservations are suggested for the Oct. 2 event and can be made at 707-275-2233.

Cleavage Creek vineyards are located in Pope Valley in Napa County. Cleavage Creek is dedicated to producing world class wines and funding breast cancer research. For more information, please visit www.CleavageCreek.com or phone 888-295-1280.

Gail Salituri's painting of Ceago Vinegarden in Nice. Photo courtesy of Gail Salituri.

UPPER LAKE – Lake County Wine Studio will host a wine tasting with Obsidian Ridge Vineyards this week.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the studio, located at the studio, 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.

Lake County Wine Studio will pour a $10 sampler of their much-acclaimed Obsidian Ridge Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon paired with appetizers.

Obsidian Ridge has gained high praise from respected reviewers from wine publications, including Wine Spectator, The Wine Enthusiast, SF Chronicle, Food & Wine, as well as wine advocate Robert Parker. It also has a rapidly expanding fan base among Lake County locals.

The wines of Obsidian Ridge will be featured on Oct. 3 and 4, 2009. Courtesy photo.

Winemakers Michael Terrien and Peter Molnar will be at the Wine Studio on Friday evening to meet with guests and share the history of Obsidian Ridge Wines, the fine characteristics imparted by the 100-percent Kádár Hungarian Oak barrels they use from the Molnar family-owned cooperage, and the elevation of wines in Lake County.

On display at the event will be the artwork of local artist, Gail Salituri.

A 2009 Stars of Lake County award winner as well as a humanitarian and philanthropist, wine studio owner Susan Feiler called Salituri “one of Lake County's finest assets.”

Works by Salituri, who operates her own gallery in Lakeport with the help of her daughter Sheri, will be on display at the wine studio for the month of October.

With an eye for both the obvious and hidden beauty of her chosen subjects, Salituri has established herself as one of California's rising artists. Working exclusively in oils, she superbly depicts many of the Golden State's natural, cultural and architectural treasures.  

Missions, courtyards, gardens, vineyards and wineries are among Salituri's many specialties. Each one reflects her artistic vision, as well as a love and appreciation of beautiful places and scenes she wishes to share. Her enchanting scenes are vibrant in color, yet serene in their peacefulness, a combination that has won her increasing notice and acclaim in the art world.

For more information call the Lake County Wine Studio, 707-275-8030.

Works by local artist Gail Salituri will be in display at the Lake County Wine Studio during the month of October. Photo courtesy of Gail Salituri.