YOUNTVILLE – The Napa Valley Museum announces the April 2 opening of the Suiseki exhibit of rare stone artifacts from the Rozaline and Bertram Johnson Collection of Fossils, Stones and Minerals in the museum's History Gallery.

The Rozaline and Bertram Johnson endowment was made in 1995 when the Napa Valley Museum was located in St. Helena where a small portion of the collection was displayed.

The April 2 opening represents the first time the collection has been shown in 15 years.

The current exhibit will feature cases filled with Suiseki (soo-ee-sek-ee) or sui (meaning water) and seki (meaning stone) viewing stones, chalcopypyrite quartz and pyrite, and chrysanthemum stones collected during the Johnson's many travels throughout Japan.

The chrysanthemum stones are polished to bring out their natural beauty. Some are described as resembling brilliant fireworks in the night sky.

As Oakville residents and world travellers, the Johnsons amassed an extensive array of nature's wonders. Through their generosity, they have shared their passion about the earth's history with museum visitors who will be able to enjoy their beauty and appreciate their worldwide significance.

The Napa Valley Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 707-944-0500 or visit www.napavalleymuseum.org .

MIDDLETOWN – One hundred boxes of food were distributed on March 17 to families in need in the Middletown area by Lake County Programs Rural Food Project.

More than 20 new families came to receive a box of food which represents 72 new clients.

Overall, more than 350 people were served.

Food is distributed on the third Wednesday of every month from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. or until food runs out.

Volunteers included Carolyn Tobin, Steve Hebert, Jaquie Stricklind, Susan Watts, Jara Johnson, Mary Rose Pott, Bonnie Thompson, Phyllis Kelsey, Bettye McKinstry, Kelley and Kathleen Grimsley.

The program is indebted to its volunteers who help serve the Middletown, Cobb and Hidden Valley Lake residents who are in need.

Nonperishable items such as juice, jelly, and soup are always needed. You can drop off food items to our office in Middletown at 21257 Calistoga St., which is between the library and the car wash.

There is a blue container on the porch, yet if you have a larger donation to make, please call 707-987-8139 to make arrangements to meet you at the Rural Food Project’s pantry at St. Joseph’s Church.

Another food distribution is held on the fourth Monday of every month at Glebe Hall, St Peter’s Church in Kelseyville from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (or until food runs out).

Registration requires proof of residence in Lake County only and is done the day of the distribution on site.

Donations can be made payable to “Catholic Charities Lake RFP” and all such monies are used to purchase food only for Lake County residents.

Send to Catholic Charities, P. O. Box 678, Middletown, CA 95461.

CLEARLAKE – The Lake County Community Co-op's efforts to expand drop points in the county where members can pick up weekly boxes of fresh produce has resulted in two more new sites.

Camille Gouldberg, massage therapist in Clearlake Oaks, and the Greenview Restaurant in Hidden Valley have joined other community members in providing drop point services for the co-op.

Residents may now pick up weekly boxes in the newly added Clearlake Oaks and Hidden Valley drop points, plus Clearlake, Lucerne, Upper Lake, Lakeport, Kelseyville, Cobb and Middletown.

"We continue to work towards providing access to all our communities in the county. We now have nine drop points and see our efforts strengthening the local food economy even more," remarked co-op Chair JoAnn Saccato.

Just one month after drop point expansion efforts began, weekly box subscriptions increased over 50 percent. The co-op is still seeking drop points in the Lower Lake and Kit's Corner areas.

The new drop points, open between 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, begin on April 1.

For more information on how to order from the co-op, or become a drop point, go to www.lakeco-op.org or call Hileri Shand at 707-995-9054.

Annual membership fees are $24 and the CSA boxes are $15 each, paid on a monthly basis.

The co-op sources the all-organic CSA boxes first from local farmers, then regionally and beyond from farmers and distributors.

In addition, members can purchase locally baked organic breads from Main Street Bakery in Kelseyville.

The co-op's intention is to help support a more sustainable food system through local and organic food sourcing.

The co-op is celebrating over two years in existence and envisions cultivating an evolving community by nurturing values of social, economic and environmental responsibility.

For more information go to www.lakeco-op.org or call 707-993-4270.

UKIAH – The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Lake and Mendocino Counties’ Governing Board will conduct a public hearing to accept comments on the 2009-2012 Area Plan.

The hearing will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 22, at Mendocino County HHSA's Big Sur meeting room, 747 S. State St., Ukiah.

The plan sets forth goals and objectives to address needs of seniors and people with disabilities in Lake and Mendocino counties.

The AAA is interested in receiving input from older adults, persons with disabilities, family caregivers, agencies and advocacy groups serving these individuals, and other interested parties.

Copies of the plan’s goals and objectives will be available at the hearings and the entire plan can be accessed at www.mcdss.org .

For more information, please contact AAA at 463-7775 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

MIDDLETOWN – Middletown High Sober Grad 2010 really needs your help.

If you are a golf lover then this is the event for you. This Saturday, March 27, the Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course is the place to be.

At 1 p.m. registration for the inaugural Sober Grad Golf Tournament Fundraiser will begin. Shotgun begins at 2 p.m.

Snacks will be served during play and after your 18-hole round you will be rewarded with a barbecue meal fit for a king (or queen).

Awards, raffle items and a silent auction with some incredible items available to bid on will take place during and after the tournament.

The silent auction is open to the public. You do not have to be a golf tournament player to bid or participate in the raffle. We also have an ongoing 50/50 raffle, a handmade quilt raffle and a 100 California Lottery ticket raffle.

Please come out and support our efforts to keep the kids safe. Sober Grad 2010 really needs you. Don't be shy!

Teams of four or individuals are welcome. Individuals will be grouped as needed.

Please contact Teresa Welter at 707-327-7396 as soon as possible with questions or to get registered.

Huck Flyn will bring a mix of music and comedy. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – A night of laughs to benefit Kelseyville High School’s Sober Grad Nite will take place at the Lake County Fairground’s Fritch Hall this Saturday, March 27.

The event begins at 8 p.m.

This fourth annual comedy event, sponsored by Kelseyville High School Sober Grad Committee and Kelseyville Sunrise Rotary, will star Del Van Dyke and Huck Flyn.

Also appearing will be Lynn Ruth Miller and Kelseyville’s Marc Yaffee.

Yaffee says this should be the best lineup since the Sober Grad Comedy events started in 2007. “We have two headliners this year plus, Lynn Ruth is a great act,” he said.

Van Dyke, is a comedian, comedy producer and comedy teacher. He recently appeared on “Comics Unleashed” with Bryon Allen and has also been seen on Showtime. He has appeared in Lake County several times over his career, including shows with Al Green (at Robinson Rancheria Casino) and the Pointer Sister (at Konocti Harbor).

Del Van Dyke has performed several times in Lake County previously. Courtesy photo.

Flyn is a 20-plus year comedy veteran and accomplished blues musician. His brand of rock and roll comedy, parodying songs from the last three decades, has been a hit from coast to coast. Flyn has opened for Rockers Joe Walsh and Eddie Money.

As the show’s only woman, Miller, is an award-winning comedian as well as being an author and painter. Miller delights audiences with her combination of music, dance and comedy. She recently was awarded the Branson Comedy Festival’s People’s Choice Award and she has received rave reviews at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Yaffee will return as the host of the event. He recently was seen on the Showtime special “Goin’ Native: The American Indian Comedy Slam.” He continues to tour with Pow Wow Comedy Jam. The group was just named the National Indian Gaming Association’s “Entertainers of the Year.”

In addition to lots of laughs, the audience will be able to purchase adult beverages, finger foods and desserts. Some great silent auction items also will be available for bid.

Lake County comedian Marc Yaffee will be among the comedians performing. Courtesy photo.

Tickets can be purchased at Catfish Books in Lakeport or in Kelseyville at Kelseyville Lumber (Pro Sales), Huggins Uniforms or Kelseyville Pharmacy. Advanced tickets are $20 or $25 at the door.

For more information call 707-279-1924.

Award-winning comedian Lynn Ruth Miller will offer a combination of music, dance and comedy. Courtesy photo.