LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County 29ers Cribbage Club holds weekly meetings and invites community members to join.

The group meets every Monday from 5:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – or later if there is a tournament – at Cheese's Main Street Pizza, 145 N Main St., Lakeport.

Currently Lake County's only club devoted to the game, the Lake County 29ers Cribbage Club is affiliated with national and international clubs, including the American Cribbage Congress.

For more information contact David Long at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Ringing in the new year should not include a visit to the hospital or ending up behind bars for drunk driving.

If you’ve been drinking during end of the year celebrations, AAA Northern California will take you and your car home for free.

AAA’s Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. You do not need to be a AAA member to take advantage of this service to the community.

AAA will offer the service to drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31, to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, in Northern California.

Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to 10 miles.

Just tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be on its way.
      
The service will provide a one-way ride for the driver and vehicle to the driver’s home. If there are additional passengers who need a ride, they will be taken to the driver’s home as long as there is room for them to be transported safely in the tow truck. You cannot make a reservation.

“Everybody wants to have fun at a New Year’s party,” said Cynthia Harris, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “But if you’ve been drinking, don’t get behind the wheel. Give AAA a call and we’ll make sure you get home safely.”

According to 2010 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes. That is one death every 51 minutes. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment and reaction time.

During New Year’s Eve in 2009 the California Highway Patrol reported that 11 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. That’s three times the daily average in California. An additional 163 people were injured in crashes involving alcohol. The same year, the CHP also arrested 488 people for drunk driving.

According to 2008 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk-driving crashes account for about 36 percent of highway deaths of young people age 16 to 24. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment, and reaction time.

AAA estimates that a first time DUI conviction in California can cost up to $12,000 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees and added insurance expenses. You can’t put a price tag on a crash that causes an injury or death.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Rockhounds club will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

The group will meet from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road in Clearlake.

Club President Neal Petrie will give a presentation on glacier gold in Lake County.

Annual membership is $15. Visitors are welcome.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Running Creek Casino is celebrating New Year's Day by giving away a new car.

The giveaway will take place at 3 p.m.

The winning guest does not need to be present to win.

The casino is located at 635 E. Highway 20 in Upper Lake.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – As the new year arrives, the Konocti Junior Tennis League is welcoming more young players to its ranks.

The junior tennis league meets from 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays year round, weather permitting, at the Gard Street tennis courts on Gard Street just off Third Street.

This league is for young people age 8 to 18 who may be interested in playing singles and doubles, as well as practicing tennis.

It is free and instruction is offered in learning to play and increasing skills in scoring and playing matches.

The instructor is Ellen Karnowski.

Call 707-279-9652 with any questions.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Soper-Reese Community Theatre’s Classic Movie Series will feature the film “Casablanca” on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The film will be offered in two showings at the theater, 275 St. Main St. in Lakeport. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Soper-Reese Executive Director Mike Adams said the film recently became available for the theater to present during its special classic movie showings.

For the matinée showing, doors open at 12:30 p.m., with the show starting at 1 p.m.

For the evening showing, doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the film starting at 6 p.m.

Released in 1942, “Casablanca” stars Humphrey Bogart as American expatriate Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund.

Blaine, a nightclub owner, and Lund had fallen in love in Paris before she abruptly abandoned him. As the film begins in the early days of World War II, Lund expectedly walks back into Blaine's life.

Popcorn, candy, soda, water and coffee will be available for purchase.

The Classic Movie Series runs on the second Tuesday of every month. The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is a restored, historic, performing arts venue established in 1949 and seating 300 patrons.

Check the theater's Web site, www.soperreesetheatre.com , or call 707-263-0577 to see what other classics are coming up.