LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The deadline is fast approaching to nominate local heroes for recognition in the 15th annual Stars of Lake County Award program.

Nominations for the awards must be delivered to the Lake County Chamber office, 875 Lakeport Blvd., at Vista Point by 5 p.m. Friday, April 13, or by letters that are postmarked by April 13.

As always happens when the deadline draws near nominations are arriving in rapid succession via the chamber Web site at www.lakecochamber.com , by people are dropping them off or faxing them to 707-263-5104.

In many cases chamber staff must request additional information/details or ask for other sources to obtain more information.

The selection committee depends upon the details in the nomination letters so the more the better.

In the case of needing additional information, that can be received after April 13, as long as the chamber has it in hand by 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 17.

Tickets for the Stars of Lake County are on sale as of Monday, April 16, for the event on May 6 at the beautiful facility of PSI Seminars in High Valley.

Dinner tickets are $60 per person.

The reception begins at 4 p.m., dinner is served at 5 p.m. and the awards program begins at 6:30 p.m.   

Calpine Corp. is sponsoring the dinner this year and the chamber currently has the following category sponsors: Cliff & Nancy Ruzicka; WestAmerica Bank; Marymount College; Calpine Corp.; Savings Bank of Mendocino; Strong Financial Network; Lake County Land Trust; Foods Etc.; Bruno’s Shop Smart; Congressman Mike Thompson; John Tomkins Tax Consultants; North Lake Medical Pharmacy and the Lake County Record-Bee.  

“Without the support of the business community this event would not be possible,” said chamber President Jim Magliulo.

Through the efforts of the business community more than 1,500 nominees have been acknowledged since 1998.

Congressman Mike Thompson will be presenting special certificates to each Stars recipient, in person at the awards as he has done every year.

David Neft will play for the reception as he has for all the years of the program. Music during the awards will be provided courtesy of Featherbed Railroad B&B.  

Please contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 with any questions concerning nominations or tickets.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Historical Society will enjoy their Sunday, April 29, general membership meeting at the Lucerne Hotel, better known to locals as “The Castle.”

The historic building is located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne.

Join the group at 2 p.m. to relax and enjoy listening to speaker Eric Seely, deputy county administrative officer for special projects, as he brings the group up-to-date on the Castle’s future and gives members a tour.

The Castle was built at the end of the 1920s, at the beginning of the Great Depression. Since its completion the building has passed through numerous hands and uses, most falling far below its potential and grandeur.

That is about to change; negotiations are under way between county of Lake and Marymount College regarding a college campus at the historic Lucerne Hotel.

Refreshments will be served in the lobby area. Join the group and bring friends. Donated cookies and cake to share would be appreciated.

If you have any questions please call Phil Smoley at 707-349-1008 or Randy Ridgel at 707-279-4062. Please wear warm clothing as the building can be very cool inside.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Join in the fun at the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday, May 6, in Lakeport's Library Park.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., located in the park across the street from Lakeport City Hall on Park Street.

The day will start with a mass and blessing. Then stay for the day enjoying many Hispanic foods, music, children’s activities including a jumpy house and piñatas, and local agency resource information.

Entertainment by DJ Super Laser 2000, Irma Lopez and Grupo Cautivos Musical.

For more information or for vendor and agency booth applications please call Shushan at 707-279-4152 or Ana at 707-994-6447, Extension 2915.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. –  Did you know that only 5 percent of seniors over 65 are in residential facilities?  

That means that the balance of seniors are still living on their own, in their own homes.

Many of these seniors have no family or family living nearby, belong to no organizations or groups and have few friends because they lack transportation or are unable to get out because of health issues.

There are many reasons why seniors find themselves isolated and alone.

The Friendly Visitor Program of Konocti Senior Support, Inc. is accepting applications for the spring Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training.

This training will provide volunteers with the opportunity to use their life experiences and provide companionship to homebound seniors.

Friendly Visitors meet with seniors they are matched with once a week for at least an hour to chat, play cards or just listen.

Friendly Visitor services are provided to seniors free of charge by the volunteers throughout Lake County.

Volunteer training consists of two days of training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch provided.

The training covers topics through instruction, discussion and participation in such areas as communication skills, stress reduction, addressing issues of depression and grief and setting healthy boundaries.

Training also provides participants with useful information which can be used in their own lives.

Konocti Senior Support Friendly Visitor training will be provided by Program Director Judy Morgan, and offered in Clearlake on Thursday, May 3, and Thursday, May 10, and in Lakeport on Wednesday, May 9, and Wednesday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A stipend will be provided to cover mileage to and from training.

Help the Friendly Visitors help seniors throughout Lake County; call 707-995-1417 now for your application and more information and details.

LUCERNE, Calif. – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada is the guest speaker at the meeting of the Lake County Democratic Club on Saturday, April 14

The meeting will take place in the Rose Room at the Alpine Senior Center, located at 3985 Country Club Drive, at the corner of 10th and Country Club Drive, in Lucerne.

The meeting will begin at noon.

Yamada is the Democratic candidate for the newly drawn Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake County.

For more information about her campaign visit her Web site, http://www.marikoyamada.net/ .

All meetings are open to the general public and everyone is invited to attend. Membership in the club is open to all registered Democrats.

Attendees are invited to come early and support the senior center by enjoying their $6 full breakfast.

Contact the Lake County Democratic Club by phone 707-987-9021 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

As part of their ongoing effort to strengthen the disaster resilience of California residents, the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and American Red Cross announce the development of preparedness starter kits for the access and functional needs community.

These kits are the latest product of the ongoing partnership between Cal EMA and Red Cross to equip all of California's diverse communities with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent, prepare for and safely respond to emergencies when the time comes.

"It is essential that all communities, including the access and functional needs community, be educated about individual preparedness and empowered to protect themselves and their loved ones in the event of an emergency," said Cal EMA Secretary Mark Ghilarducci.

Access and functional needs populations are defined as those who may have additional needs before, during or after an incident in functional areas, such as maintaining independence, communication, transportation and medical care.

Individuals in need of additional response assistance may include the elderly, children or people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, limited access to transportation or those who live in institutionalized settings.

"This starter kit differs from the standard preparedness kit. The educational materials are focused on the unique and special requirements of the access and functional needs community; the kit contains tools such as a medication organizer, collapsible water bowl for assistance animals, and emergency notification cards" said Sheri Burns, Executive Director of Community Resources for Independent Living.

"In partnership with Cal EMA, Red Cross offers emergency preparedness tips and training in 14 languages, has distributed over 46,000 preparedness kits to Californians over the past two years, and continues to reach out to better prepare diverse and vulnerable communities across the state of California," said Harold Brooks, chief executive officer of American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, who facilitated the collaboration between Red Cross and Cal EMA.

The Cal EMA and Red Cross preparedness starter kits are being distributed by local Red Cross chapters throughout the state during preparedness trainings and community events as part of their mission to prepare California residents.

For more information regarding these kits and the ongoing effort to prepare Californians for any emergency or disaster, please visit Cal EMA at www.calema.ca.gov .

American Red Cross chapter serving Lake County can be reached at 707-263-8451.