Recreation
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports

KELSEYVILLE – The Redbud Audubon Society is pleased to host Lyle and Deanna Madeson, local wildlife photographers, at the upcoming Audubon meeting on Thursday, April 15.
The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Kelseyville High School Library, 5480 Main St.
The Madesons are superb photographers and will show photographs of the birds they saw on a trip to Florida this past year to investigate and photograph exceptional rookeries that state offers.
Along with visiting and photographing the rookeries, they visited Audubon’s world famous Corkscrew Swamp in Naples, Florida, where they observed and photographed spoonbills, anhingas, wood storks, egrets, herons, alligators and more.
They also were fortunate enough to see and photograph the endangered snail kite in Central Florida.
They moved to Lake County in 1976 and enjoy its beauty year round.
Lyle Madeson first started taking pictures while photographing his gladiola hybrids for identification. It soon became apparent that he was interested in capturing more than the gladiolas on film. He branched out to the hummingbirds that frequented the gladiolas in the field, then on to a wider variety of birds.
Deanna has joined Lyle in his photography adventure and together they spend many hours capturing the birds, wildlife, vineyards, and natural beauty of Lake County.
The Redbud Audubon Society programs are free and open to the public. Also, don’t forget to check out the heron festival Web site, www.heronfestival.org, and get ready to attend the upcoming Heron Festival and Wildflower Brunch on April 24 and 25 at Clear Lake State Park.
For more information about the Redbud Audubon Society, go to www.redbudaudubon.org.
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- Written by: Editor
MENDOCINO, Calif. – Celebrate the First of May on the beautiful Mendocino Coast viewing works by some of the area's most accomplished artists. Bid on a favorite piece, sample local wines, and enjoy an elegant indoor picnic prepared by Mendocino Coast's finest chefs.
It's all part of "Arts for the Parks," sponsored by the nonprofit Mendocino Area Parks Association (MAPA), Saturday, May 1, at Pentecost Hall, 822 Stewart St., Fort Bragg.
Free entry to the art show and silent auction from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a $25 per person indoor "Picnic in the Parks" (includes one glass of wine) and live auction from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Proceeds support Mendocino County's 17 magnificent state parks.
Tickets are available at www.MendoParks.org; Harvest Market, Fort Bragg; Out of This World, Mendocino; and Ford House Museum, Mendocino. For more information, call 707-937-4700.
More than 100 works of art by local artists will be featured, including fine drawings, paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, quilts and more. All are available for purchase via silent and live auctions.
A raffle for three works of art by local artists is being held in conjunction with this event. To view them, and to buy tickets visit www.MendoParks.org, then click "Arts for the Parks." Tickets may also be purchased by calling 707-937-4700, or onsite at "Picnic in the Parks" taking place at the "Arts for the Parks" event May 1.
"We bring together inspiring art, beautiful parks, fine food and great wines, in an awesome showcase," says MAPA volunteer Marilyn Boese. "Have fun, take a walk in the parks."
The 17 state parks in Mendocino County include some of the finest ocean views, redwood groves, beaches, ocean bluffs, lakeshore, trails and campgrounds in the world. Nonprofit MAPA funds natural and cultural history programs in these local state parks.
MAPA's educational mission is to inspire better understanding and appreciation of the plants and animals that also call this land their home, and to encourage protection of our parklands – and our planet.
For gifts, endowments, or contributions of stock or other non-cash items, please contact MAPA at 707-937-4700, or
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
For the month of April, we're celebrating our fifth anniversary by rolling back prices on our jumbo minnows to just $10 per dozen as they were when we opened our doors in 2005. Come by and celebrate with us and pick up a great deal on minnows to get your spring fishing under way. Here are the reports.
Bass are reacting to the season change by being a bit finicky. They're not concentrated in the depths nor have they concentrated in the shallows. I've had reports of shallow fish staring down baits and deep fish bumping baits but not taking them.
Rain, cold and wind ushered us into this past week. The last few days, however have been bright and sunny, albeit with a bit of afternoon wind to make positioning a boat difficult.
We've got a few more days of bright weather on the forecast before rain returns as we head into next week. We should see the bite surge with shallow water action taking center stage. Live jumbo minnows are still the best bet, while finesse baits and presentations are accounting for most of the fish caught on artificials. Swim baits are also gaining ground as the bass move in.
Crappie anglers are reporting action in the Clearlake Oaks Keys and the State Park. A few private property owners are finding fish under docks and along walls as well. Jig colors in red and white (a longtime favorite) and chartreuse (another favorite) are working for some. Others are using live medium minnows to get the job done. Most reports are claiming catches of about a dozen fish for an outing.
The catfish bite hasn't changed much from our last report and reads like this: Catfish action has kicked into gear with anglers finding success from the banks of Clear Lake. Mackerel, crawlers and live minnows have been accounting for much of the success.
The Catfish Derby is right around the corner. The annual Catfish Derby is taking place May 14, 15 and 16 this year. This event draws over 500 adult anglers and more than 100 youth fishermen. Applications are available in the store or online at the www.clearlakeoaks.org site.
In event news, our fifth anniversary is here as I mentioned above. For our firearms folks, we're giving away a Front Sight Firearms Training Institute certificate good for a four day defensive handgun class.
Come in and enter the drawing by visiting the store and filling out an entry any time during the month of April. The drawing will be held on April 30 at 5 p.m.
Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, Calif., telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the shop online at www.994Fish.com.
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- Written by: Dan McIntire

LAKEPORT – Opening night for Lakeport Speedway's new “Super Speedway” is this Saturday, April 10.
The fun starts at 6:30 p.m.
We are ringing in a new era here at Lakeport Speedway.
After many good years under the guidance and direction of Bob and Nadine Strauss, Lakeport’s new Super Speedway is heading into the future in many positive ways and we all wish Bob and Nadine well in their retirement and endeavors.
There is an action-packed card this Saturday night at the new Super Speedway featuring the Coors Light Modifieds, the Airport Auto Broker Late Models, the ever-exciting Clover Hydro Jammers and the Snake Pit Development Bombers also rounding out the field will be the NCRA Street Stocks.
There will be a best appearing car contest where the fans will get to pick the best appearing car in each division.
This is only the start of an exciting year the new Super Speedway in Lakeport with the Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino Boat racers running a five-race series for the McAtee Marine Repair Point fund for the first time here at Lakeport Speedway.
The Lake County Off Road Destruction Derbies will be making five appearances at the Lakeport Speedway this year.
For the first time at Lakeport Speedway the Lake County Off Road Destruction derbies and the Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino Boat racers will be honored at the annual awards banquet at the end of the season with the rest of the local drivers.
The BCRA Midgets, the Legend Cars for the Pacific and the Nor-Cal Pro 4 Modifieds will also all be making appearances to the “Super” Speedway this year.
Come out and see all the new changes at the Super Speedway and cheer for your favorite driver and all the new drivers as well.
The management is looking forward to making this your community-based nonprofit speedway.
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