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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY – Skelton’s Christmas Trees, well known for 27 years of providing fresh-cut trees for the community, reminds us that real trees are environmentally friendly.
An acre of Christmas trees provides watershed protection and wildlife habitat, as well as the oxygen needs of 18 people. Some of Skelton’s trees come complete with last summer’s bird’s nests.
Environmentally conscious people need not be concerned when Christmas trees are cut, because only the upper part of the tree is harvested, leaving the lower branches to nourish the stump while another Christmas tree grows. This is called "stump culture."
"All of our trees are grown as a crop on tree plantations locally and in the Pacific Northwest," said owner Rod Skelton.
Real, fresh-cut Christmas trees are also environmentally friendly because they are biodegradable. Artificial trees, which are made from petroleum and metal and manufactured mainly in Korea, Taiwan or Hong Kong, will not deteriorate when disposing of them.
Skelton’s Christmas Trees is adding a new service by mechanically shaking each tree to dislodge old needles which have been caught in the branches. Because their trees are especially dense, this is a real plus for their customers.
"We try to provide the best service possible," said Skelton. "Attendants are happy to tie trees to the top of vehicles."
The trees are also displayed in water bowls to maintain freshness.
Fresh, handmade wreaths will also be offered for sale, and there will be free boughs available also.
Skelton’s Christmas Trees will be at their previous location across from Kmart garden center, behind Mackey Tire, in the parking lot of the New Hope Fellowship Church, and will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"Again this year, every 100th customer will get their chosen tree free. This was very popular last year, so we decided to continue again this year," said Skelton. "The winners will be announced after Christmas."
The tree lot features a bargain Area where they sell "Charlie Brown" trees – some priced under $15.
“We offer a tree for every home & budget,” Skelton said.
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- Written by: California Board of Equalization
The BOE sent a special notice by email informing them of this new federal regulation, according to Chairwoman Betty T. Yee.
Under federal law, these products can no longer be manufactured, imported or sold in the United States and could be seized by federal, state or local law enforcement authorities.
Cigarettes and RYO products banned by the FDA have been and continue to be removed from the California Tobacco Directory by the California Attorney General and the California Department of Justice.
This federal ban prohibits a cigarette or any of its component parts (including the tobacco, filter, or paper) from containing, as a constituent (including a smoke constituent) or additive, an artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco or menthol) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, or coffee, that is a characterizing flavor of the tobacco product or tobacco smoke.
For general information regarding the FDA’s Tobacco Program and the ban on flavored cigarettes and RYO products, please refer to the FDA’s Web site at www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/default.htm .
To access the product listing on the California Tobacco Directory, please refer to the AG’s Web site at http://ag.ca.gov/tobacco/directory.php .
It is illegal for distributors to affix a California tax stamp on packages of cigarettes or pay the tax on roll-your-own product unless the manufacturer and the brand family are listed in the California Tobacco Directory.
For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes.ca.gov .
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- Written by: Rick Gunier
SACRAMENTO – Lake County wines received additional recognition Nov. 2 by being the exclusive wines poured at a state luncheon hosted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ricardo Martinez, deputy director of the Environmental Protection Agency and personal advisor to the governor, has long been a fan of Reynaldo Robledo and his “rags to riches” story. Martinez was instrumental in getting the wines poured at the luncheon that was attended by over 70 state representatives, media and other dignitaries.
The Lake County wines that were poured include the 2008 Lake County Robledo Family Seven Brothers Sauvignon Blanc and the Robledo Family Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon.
“This is such a great honor for me, my family and Lake County.” said Reynaldo Robledo “To come from such humble beginnings and to wind up pouring our wines for the California Governor is truly a dream come true.”
After the luncheon Robledo was on had to present to the governor a gift box containing special vintages from his winery.
Robledo’s accomplishments in the wine industry span four decades, and his story illustrates passion, commitment and dedication to the art of winemaking.
Reynaldo Robledo Sr. came to the United States in 1968, traveling from the state of Michoacán, Mexico. He started work in the fields the very next day.
Robledo overcame his humble beginnings as an immigrant field worker to become one of the most successful vineyard consultants and winery owners in California Wine Country.
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- Written by: Editor
Based on in-house expertise and ongoing research among West Coast wineries, the report reiterates the prior prediction that the market will be slow to fully recover, predicts year over year sales declines for calendar year 2009, but also forecasts modest growth at the producer level in 2010.
The growth prediction is tempered by observations of continuing economic softness and demographic shifts that are creating headwinds against a quick return to the business conditions that were considered normal prior to Q3 2008.
"Our current research is showing that the wine businesses continue to be pushed in this economic environment, and there is no expectation that what was normal for the past decade will return in short order," said Rob McMillan, founder of Silicon Valley Bank's Wine Division and author of the report. "Defining a new normal and acting on that is more prudent than waiting for the old normal to return."
Emerging demographic shifts in particular will impact sales and marketing strategies for fine wines as target consumers change spending patterns, and potentially exit the market altogether.
"For that segment of Baby Boomers who have seen their net worth drastically reduced and who have been the prime target of wine marketing for nearly 20 years, a $50 bottle of wine is now permanently out of the question for a normal purchase," McMillan said.
Early reports for Q4 2009 sales suggest improvement over the same period in 2008, an expected down year for the full year 2009, but positive growth in the fine wine business in 2010. However, the report continues, true recovery will take time due to lasting, negative economic changes in housing, consumer wealth, consumer credit, business spending and restaurant sales.
"Not all the changes we're seeing and expecting during an ongoing correction and recovery will be permanent and it's not all doom and gloom, but everyone in this business should expect that the future will be quite different than the past decade in fine wine," McMillan said.
Silicon Valley Bank's Annual State of the Wine Industry Report due for release in the spring captures trends and addresses critical issues facing the U.S. wine industry.
Given the state of the economy and the need for wine businesses to think critically about their strategies, these preliminary findings intend to offer data, trends and observations that businesses can use during their 2010 - 2011 planning.
For a copy of Silicon Valley Bank's 2010-2011 preliminary findings report, please visit www.svb.com/pdfs/wine/StateoftheWineIndustry1109.pdf .
To receive an invitation to participate in Silicon Valley Bank's annual on-line survey and thus receive survey results, please e-mail Penny Northrop (