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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Time Bank of Lake County enables Lake County residents and businesses to get and give needed services by trading time instead of money.

During this year’s winter holiday season – which began Nov. 22 and continues until Jan. 1 – the Time Bank of Lake County is offering to kick in one hour for every hour a time banker gives to a fellow time banker.

“The holidays can be a really stressful time for people who don’t have cash for presents. What better way to celebrate the holidays than to give the gift of time to others?” said Carol Cole-Lewis, one of the co-coordinators of the Time Bank of Lake County.

Cole-Lewis continued, “Here’s an example of how this promotion could work. You help Mrs. Smith for two hours by digging up her garden. You ‘Record an Exchange’ on the Time Bank of two hours, with Mrs. Smith as the recipient. The Time Bank administrator will see your exchange and award you with an additional two hours from the Time Bank account. You now have four hours you can use on services provided by other time bankers in the Time Bank.”

John Saare, the other Time Bank co-coordinator commented, “Don’t worry if you’re not a member of the Time Bank yet. It’s easy to join. You can sign up by visiting our Web site at http://timebanklakeco.com and clicking on the big, blue “Join/Log In” button on the right hand side of the screen. There’s also a short movie on our home page that will show you a bit more about what Time Banking is and why it’s so important towards building a thriving Lake County.”

If you have any questions or need more information, visit the Time Bank of Lake County website at http://timebanklakeco.com , or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Time Bank of Lake County is a project of Thrive Lake County, an organization made up of Lake County social entrepreneurs and residents who seek to make a vibrant and thriving Lake County that values not only profit, but people and planet as well.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake will host its annual “Christmas by the Lake” celebration on Saturday, Dec. 8.

The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Clearlake Christmas Parade.

The parade starts at Redbud Park and ends at Austin Park. Santa's arrival will be celebrated by the gazebo.

The lighting of the Christmas tree takes place afterward.

The event is free and open to the public.

To participate or for more information please contact Jessie Boyd at 707-350-7485 or Chuck Davis at 707-995-3242.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge No. 6-166 will hold its annual Scandinavian Christmas open house on Sunday, Dec. 2.

The annual event, which is open to the community, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road.

There will be Scandinavian delicacies to enjoy such as Swedish pancakes, Danish Æbleskiver, Krumkake, open-faced sandwiches and much more.

The Swedish Santa Lucia pageant will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed at 1 p.m. by singing carols around the Christmas tree.

The open house also will feature vendors including Vikki Bjerk Mullenbach with her Norwegian Favorites and other Nordic gifts; Larson’s Industries with Scandinavian baking equipment, with Lorraine Larson offering instruction and a lefse baking demonstration; and Zoegas Post Order USA, which offers fine Swedish gourmet coffee.

In addition there will be Norwegian and Swedish Calendars for sale for $12 each, and a raffle to benefit the Vikings of Lake’s Adopt-a-School Program.

For more information contact Mary Beth Ingvoldstad, 707-987-2404.

Visit the Vikings of Lake Web site at www.vikingsoflakelodge.org for more information about the group and upcoming events.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local author will be signing copies of her new children’s book that has received recognition from the National Science Teacher's Association.

The book signing for Mary Miche’s new book, “Nature’s Patchwork Quilt,” will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Watershed Books, 305 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

The National Science Teacher's Association has listed the book – released by Dawn Publications in September – as an outstanding science trade book for children, and Miche has been nominated as a finalist for their yearly award.

Teacher can download activities based on the book at the Dawn Publications Web site, www.dawnpub.com/downloadable_activities_book/ .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A rummage sale to raise funds for a student trip to the East Coast will be held at Middletown High School on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The sale will take place rain or shine from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

In addition to the rummage sale, bake sale items also will be available.  

All proceeds benefit a group of students taking an educational tour of Washington, D.C. and New York City.

The group is currently accepting donations of furniture, household items, toys and clothing.  

If you would like to donate please contact Suzanne at 707-987-9756 to arrange for pick up.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Thursday, Dec. 6.

The group meets at the First Lutheran Church, 3863 Country Club Lane, across from the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Social worker Jenny Johnson is the facilitator.  

The groups are sponsored by Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County.  

For more information call Jenny Johnson at 707-350-3030 or Caroline Denny at 707-263-9481.

Respite is provided by the centers at no charge.