Nichol Criz's portrait of a geisha. Criz's work will be on display at the Lake County Wine Studio in Upper Lake, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 6, and Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine tasting event with Cougar’s Leap / Black Rock Ranch and painter Nichol Kriz on Friday, Aug. 6, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 7, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Wine Studio is pleased to present and offer the Cougar's Leap / Black Rock Ranch (Red Hills AVA) wines at the first weekend in August reception.

The $10 tasting sampler includes Wildcat White (a Sauvignon/Semillon Blend), Rosato di Sangiovese (Rose), Zinfandel, 2007 Petite Sirah and 2005 Petite Sirah, each paired with appetizers.

The August artist, Nichol Kriz, painted her first work of art on her bedroom wall at the age of 5; the rendering of a three-headed rhinoceros was not well received at the time.

However, not one to be discouraged by the scouring and repainting of the bedroom wall, princesses, goblins and fairies often found their way to her private three-dimensional canvas.

Kriz’s predilection for decorating three-dimensional spaces led to a degree in three-dimensional design from California State University, Northridge, and a job with an interior design firm located in West Los Angeles.

When the recession of the 1970s hit the previously successful design firm dissolved and Kriz had to re-evaluate her career choice.

She returned to school and became a nurse practitioner and physician's assistant with a specialized training in surgery.

Near the end of her medical career, Kriz picked up a brush and began to study botanical illustration under the tutelage of the talented Lisa Pompelli at the Huntington Library in San Marino, Calif.

Kriz’s efforts at the Huntington found one of her paintings selected for presentation in the Boone Gallery at the Huntington, in the show “A Passion for Orchids” in 2006.

Upon retirement, she moved to Lake County where she became involved with the Lake County Arts Council and has sold works at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport and to private collectors.

She has shown at the Harvest Festival at Steele Winery in Lakeport and has been involved as a co-owner of the Serendipity Arts and Boutique Gallery in Lucerne.

Kriz uses a variety of materials in her works including oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media with very different results – a progression towards full realization of her artistic potential. Each new piece is a new adventure in self-discovery, always with an element of surprise.

You're invited come view, experience and perceive her art in your own way.

Lake County Wine Studio is located on the corner of First and Main streets in historic Upper Lake, across from the famous Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon & Café.

For more information, call Susan Feiler at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The community is invited to attend the AIDSWALK Lake County 2010 Planning Meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at the CCHAP Drop-in Center, located at 14644-B Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

The meeting is open to all interested county citizens. Creative input and assistance to prepare for a successful AIDSWALK is welcomed and appreciated.

The AIDSWALK event will take place on Sept. 18 in Clearlake's Austin Park.

For more information call Michelle or Ken at 707-995-1606.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Loconoma Valley High School on Washington Street.

Agenda items will include MATH Goals for 2010, District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock’s report and a status report on the Middletown Square design.

Under new business they will discuss state Assembly 1st District candidates Karen Brooks and Wesley Chesbro.

MATH meetings are subject to videotaping. Meeting proceedings may be available for viewing on public access television and/or the Internet.

A municipal advisory council, MATH serves the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (includes HVL), Long Valley and Middletown.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Lioness Club will hold their monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, Aug. 19.

The luncheon will begin at noon at the Riviera Hills Restaurant in the Clearlake Riviera, 10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville.

On the agenda will be plans for the club's pear ice cream booth at the Kelseyville Pear Festival on Sept. 25. The booth is a main fundraiser for the club's special kids campership project.

The Konocti Lioness Club encourages anyone interested in joining the group to attend the meeting as its guest.

Please call Lioness Elizabeth at 707-279-8562 for lunch reservations.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lucerne Friends of Locally Owned Water (Lucerne FLOW) will host their monthly meeting on Saturday, Aug. 14.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 10^th and Country Club.

Breakfast is available beginning at 9 a.m.

The public is welcome.

LAKEPORT – As a cost-saving measure, the American Red Cross of Lake County has moved out of its building at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

However, the Red Cross will be housing manikins and supplies at the Kelseyville Fire Department, as well as offering classes for families and youth in the fire department’s training room.

“We’d like to thank Richard Persons and his staff at the fairgrounds for being such generous landlords for the past few years,” said Red Cross Executive Director Donna Neu. “We were very fortunate to be able to work in such a great location.”

But, due to economic reasons, the Red Cross can no longer afford to pay a monthly rental fee and will be moving out of the fairgrounds location in early September.

Luckily, Kelseyville Fire has stepped up to help the Red Cross continue to maintain its presence in Lake County.

“We appreciate the partnership with the Kelseyville Fire Department and look forward to offering life-saving training classes in the future,” Neu said.

Disaster volunteers also will continue to offer disaster response and training in the county.

Be sure to stop by the Red Cross First Aid Station during the Lake County Fair this year.

The Red Cross will have volunteers in the station who can also provide safety and preparedness information.

For more information about the Red Cross, to sign up for a CPR or First Aid class, or to volunteer, please call 707-263-8451.