The program began in 2007. The first project was funded May 1, 2009, with a donation of $5,700.

Garden clubs across the state donated to this fund. Contributions are made in $100 increments, checks made out to California Garden Club Inc. (CGCI), deposited in a restricted CGCI account. Projects are considered in the $5,000 to $20,000 range.

For Project I the CGCI Restoration Chairman contacted the US Forest Service Region 5 Headquarters in California to find which National Forest had the greatest need at this time.

The reply was the Cleveland National Forest for tamarisk removal, an invasive plant species (salt cedar) from Eurasia, and planting with native plant species on Cottonwood and La Pasta Creeks in San Diego County.

According to information provided by CGCI, tamarisk produces dense thickets of 3,000 plants per acre to a height of 25 feet, the deep extensive root system draws salts from ground water.

Salts are excreted through leaf glands and distributed on the ground increasing the salinity of the soil preventing germination of many native plants.

This produces one of the highest evaporation rates per acre of any plant, lowering the water table and drying up springs, wetlands and riparian areas.

Leaf litter increases the intensity and frequency of wildfires. The fires stimulate the growth of tamarisk but kill native plants.

Anyone interested in more information or in donating to this program through Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club contact Penny Pines Chair Ann Blue at 707-263-5854.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Ann Blue is Penny Pines chair for the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club.

Jim and Helen Harris of Lucerne, Calif., celebrated 60 years as husband and wife at an anniversary party in Lucerne on April 6, 2010. Photo by Ginny Craven.

The elegant affair was hosted by Ronnie and Janeane Bogner, honorary members of Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter 23. Photography was provided by Ginny Craven, a friend of the chapter and the couple.

Among fresh flowers and glowing candlelight the celebrants dined on filet mignon, prepared and served by restaurant owner Jose Plata.

Plata provided the repast at his expense, in honor of Pearl Harbor and D-Day survivor Jim Harris and his lovely bride Helen.

Family members came from as far away as Minnesota for the festivities.

Hostess Janeane Bogner and Helen Harris pins a corsage on Helen Harris at the anniversary celebration on April 6, 2010, in Lucerne, Calif. Photo by Ginny Craven.

After dinner, the couple joined hands while cutting a lovely white cake made by Janeane Bogner, decorated with fresh orchids and filled with pineapple at Helen’s request, in memory of Pearl Harbor.

Choking back tears, Jim gave a tribute to Helen as his partner through 60 years.

He then said, “I am giving you the engagement ring I couldn’t afford.” He then placed a beautiful sparkling diamond ring on Helen’s hand as she smiled brightly.

Jim Harris gets a boutonni

The Seadogs will be a featured performer at this year's Lake Renaissance Festival. Courtesy photo.

LOWER LAKE – Come to the wedding of the year at the Tuscan town of Porto del Mare, when the Scots of the Clan Fraser visit town to prepare for the wedding of their own young master with the timid blushing bride, a cousin of the powerful De Medici family.

Since Porto del Mare is a trading town, those dastardly Scots must have this match in mind for their own benefit.

But what is it? It’s the second annual Lake Renaissance Festival at Tuscan Village on Main Street in Lower Lake, next to the post office, on Memorial Day weekend – Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30.

The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

This is Lake County’s best of the best in historical entertainment, which takes you back 400 years to simpler times, when people knew how to celebrate.

Tickets are $7, with a $2 discount for students and seniors, patrons in costume or a discount coupon, while children 10 and under are free. Parking is free.

You are invited to the fun and interesting workshops, which are open to the public free of charge, where you can learn about the history of the area, the age being portrayed and you can choose a character and learn how to dress, walk and talk like the people of 400 years past, or take another one of the many workshops which are planned.

To learn more, contact the education director, Ann White, at AnnDrewArt in the Tuscan Village at 707-995-5079, Donna Harris at 707-279-0609 or visit the group's Web site at www.lakerenfest.com.

SAN FRANCISCO – If you’re an adrenaline junkie and you’re looking for a rush, you have a chance to step off the roof of a 38-story building and live to tell about it.

The Grand Hyatt in San Francisco will host a fundraising rappelling event for Special Olympics Northern California on July 24.

As many as 100 people will make their way down the east side of the building on two ropes. Those who climb down the hotel wall will be gathering pledges from donors leading up to the event.

Special Olympics is hoping to raise as much as $150,000 from the event. Long-time supporter Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery is the presenting sponsor.

“We’re excited about offering a new experience while raising much-needed funds for our athletes,” said Rick Collett, CEO and President of Special Olympics Northern California. “Our athletes have a lot of courage and take risks everyday when they try to do something thought to be impossible by most. Likewise, this event will take a lot of courage for anyone who decides to rappel 400 feet in the middle of San Francisco.”

Tesoro’s Production Manager Marty Hawkins and Special Olympics Board member agreed. “Special Olympics athletes teach us about courage every day. I’m inspired by their accomplishments, and I’ll go over the edge to prove it.”

“I’m going to go over the top for a great cause,” added David Nadelman, general manager of the Grand Hyatt. “I want to support all those athletes who try hard and prove there’s nothing they can’t do when they try. If they can do that everyday, certainly I can do this once and go over the edge for the athletes.”

Already 50 people have signed up, including two Special Olympics athletes. All participants must be in good health and weigh no less than 110 pounds and no more than 300 pounds.

The rappelling will be supervised by Over the Edge, a Nova Scotia company that has organized dozens of rappelling events all over North America.

Over the Edge for Special Olympics is a daylong event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt. Family, friends and spectators are invited to come down and support participants.

All funds raised will go directly toward providing training opportunities, equipment, uniforms and practice venues for some 14,000 Special Olympics athletes across Northern California.

Interested climbers may sign up online at www.OverTheEdgeSF.com.

Special Olympics Northern California is a free year-round sports training and competition program for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

About 14,000 athletes compete in over 170 competitions throughout the region in 12 sports. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. Find out how you can be a fan and visit www.SONC.org.

LAKEPORT – The city of Lakeport's Forbes Street overlay project is under way, and motorists will encounter a street closure lasting through Tuesday.

Construction of a cross gutter will occur at Armstrong and Forbes streets, the city reported.

That construction, which began Monday afternoon, will close the first block of Armstrong Street west of Forbes Street to through traffic through Tuesday.

Normal traffic operations will resume Wednesday.

For more information call the city of Lakeport at 707-263-5614, Extension 11.

LAKEPORT – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 8-8 of Lake County will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday June 5, at the Lakeport Yacht Club located at the Fifth Street boat launch ramp in Lakeport.

The agenda will include activities held for Safe Boating Week, week-end safety patrols, vessel exams and boating safety classes for the public.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the Flotilla is encouraged to attend and find out how they too can become one of America's Volunteer Lifesavers.

For additional information, please call 707-513-5122.