LAKEPORT – A new feature this year for the Lake County Rodeo is called “Come Learn About Rodeo,” which is being held on Saturday, July 10, at 6:15 p.m.

The public will have the opportunity to meet and speak with some of the top CCPRA Rodeo professionals prior to the start of the 81st Annual Lake County Rodeo at 7 p.m.

Ask questions about why these folks have chosen to be in this great American tradition.

Some of the points leading pros are Casey Meroshnekoff, bareback rider from Red Bluff; current No. 2 All Around Cowboy Jordan Spears, a calf roper out of Redding; Leslie Moore, barrel racer of Bridgeville; bull rider Jordan Spears of Redding; and 53 years young Mark Thomson from Tehachapi, World Champion from the National Seniors Pro Rodeo.

Rodeo Announcer Ted Dwyer will be emceeing the program and will be joined by TV cowboy star Monte Montana and Rodeo Clown Charlie “Too Tall” West.

Also on hand will be members of the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen to answer questions from youngsters about what its like to ride in a drill team.

Don't forget the rodeo parade on Main Street in Lakeport at 11 a.m., with Monte Montana as grand marshal.

Saturday rodeo admission tickets also get you into the annual rodeo dance featuring Lou Derr & Bootleg, which follows an exciting evening of CCPRA professional rodeo events, from bronc riding to bull riding.

Also, 10 youngsters will compete to win a silver buckle for being the best Mutton Buster of the evening.

The rodeo is old-fashioned family fun for every age.

The box office opens at 5 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake have been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for installation of light poles near Government Street. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Janelle Perry of Lakeport has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a driveway beginning Monday, July 12. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Paving from the junction of Route 29/175 near Lakeport to Mockingbird Lane will begin Monday, July 12. Work hours are 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

Highway 175

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from Napa Avenue to Stewart Street beginning Monday, July 12. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 281

– North Bay Construction of Petaluma has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for paving on Soda Bay Road. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Paving from 0.1 mile north of Navarro Ridge Road to Woodstock Drive will continue through Tuesday, July 13. Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility maintenance at Airport Road on Thursday, July 15. Work hours are 2:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs at Blue Slide Gulch, just south of Westport, will continue Monday, July 12, and Tuesday, July 13. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Mercer-Fraser of Eureka.

– A drainage repair project from 1.4 miles south of Hales Grove to 1.2 mile south of Mill Bank Resort will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Green Right O’Way Constructors of Willits.

Highway 101

– Installation of rock slope protection from Walker Road to Hollands Lane will continue. Nighttime work hours are 5 p.m. to 4 a.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Cummings Road Undercrossing will continue. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor – DeBruin Construction Inc. of French Camp.

Highway 128

– Brown and Caldwell of Rancho Cordova has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to decommission a spill/well site near Wendling Street beginning Monday, July 12. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– PG&E of Ukiah has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility maintenance 0.3 mile west of Mountain House Road beginning Monday, July 12. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 162

– A bridge widening project at Outlet Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

Highway 222

– Replacement of the Russian River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays during work hours and five-minute delays at other times. Contractor – CC Myers of Rancho Cordova.

– Rogina Water Co. of Talmage has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install a water line from Sandford Ranch Road to Talmage Court. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253

– A bridge widening project at Anderson Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

– Construction of a retaining wall from Singley Cattlepass to the Soda Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Mendocino Construction Services of Willits.

– A bridge widening project at Soda Creek Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor – Viking Construction Co. Inc. of Rancho Cordova.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

LAKEPORT – Lake County Special Olympics is hosting a “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser July 23 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join them at Renee's Restaurant, 1005 N. Main St. in Lakeport, for good food and fun.

Law enforcement officers will wait tables in exchange for tips which will benefit Lake County Special Olympics.

Pictured, from left to right, are Shelena Stewart, Emma Fullerton, Kimberly Fischer, 2009 Lake County Rodeo Queen Nicole Erickson, 2009 Lake County Rodeo Princess Jocelyn Bennett, Jessika McCollian and Ashley Johnson. Photo by Scott Bennett of Bennett Photography.

LAKE COUNTY – The contest to determine who will be the 2010-11 Lake County Rodeo Queen and Princess was held late in June, with the announcement of the young winners set to be made official this weekend.

The contest was held June 25 at the Soper Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport.

The contestants were required to show off their shining personalities, poise and public speaking skills. Each girl modeled their best western outfit, gave a speech showing their knowledge of the sport of rodeo and answered the judge's impromptu questions about the sport of rodeo and caring for their horses.

Judges for the Friday night event were Mary Southard, Dianna Hendrick and Greg Scott, all of Lakeport.

The judges award points based on the contestants timed speeches, their poise while modeling, and their knowledge of rodeo and horsemanship.

On June 26 at the Cole Creek Equestrian Center in Kelseyville the contestants showed off their horsemanship skills starting with a written test showing their practical knowledge.

The next area that was judged was their horse grooming, tacking up and general horsemanship knowledge.

Each girl was required to groom and tack up their horse while answering judge's questions. A time limit of 10 minutes taxes even the most experienced horsemen and women.

The contestants then showed their riding skills by completing an intricate pattern in the arena which showed their expertise in giving cues for lead changes and maintaining a steady pace, along with keeping their horses calm and moving at the required pace.

They also show off their best queen salute for the audience on a running horse and then carrying a large American flag one circle around the arena.

Judges for the Horsemanship section were Suzie Wiloth of Wiloth Therapeutic Riding Center in Middletown, Tamara Hoskins and Sierra Briggle, also of Middletown.

The winners will be named at the 81st annual Lake County Rodeo at the Lakeport Fairgrounds on Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10. Parking is free.

Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers who want to help improve the lives of community members. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – Habitat for Humanity Lake County is seeking volunteers.

If you have a desire to improve the lives of our community’s families, want to make Lake County a better place to live, and seek the camaraderie of like-minded people, please contact the group's office at 707-994-1100, or come by the office at 16285 A Main St., Lower Lake, for a volunteer application and to learn more about how you can help.

No experience is necessary, just bring a desire to help.

NICE – Come enjoy a fresh caught fish fry and dance this Saturday, July 10, at the Sons of Italy hall hosted by Bob and Rosalie Sonnenburg.

They will serve beer batter fried fish, fries, coleslaw, rolls and dessert, at the Sons of Italy club hall, 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

The bar is open for socializing at 5 p.m. then dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

Enjoy dancing to the music of the Jim Williams Band right after the meal.

All tickets are $15 at the door.

Everyone is welcome.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-263-1606.