UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Mark your calendars – Santa Claus and his elves are making a special stop in Upper Lake this holiday season at Running Creek Casino on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.

St. Nick will be transported to Running Creek in a different kind of red sleigh – a fire truck, courtesy of the Northshore Fire Protection District Upper Lake Station.

Families who want to visit with Santa can wait for him under the Porte Cochere outside the casino and may park in the newly paved lot.

A special tree lighting ceremony will take place once Santa has arrived with hot chocolate, cider, and donuts for children and their families.

“We wanted to do something special for local children this holiday season,” said Running Creek Casino General Manager Michael Schrader. “What better way to celebrate the holidays than a visit from Santa Claus himself? We hope that this visit with Santa and tree lighting will be an opportunity for the local families and kids in the Upper Lake area to gather and kick off the holiday season right.”

Running Creek Casino will celebrate the holidays during the entire month of December with a Friday and Saturday promotion called “Christmas at the Creek,” where they will give away $40,000 during the entire month. Rewards Club members may also cash in their club points for special holiday gifts.

A Christmas Day meal will be part of the menu at the Wildfire restaurant consisting of a four-course prime rib dinner including a cup of soup, Caesar salad, and a chef’s special dessert for just $29.

The holiday celebration will culminate in a big bash on New Year’s Eve at Running Creek, with free hors d’oeuvres, $1 champagne, music, party favors and cash giveaways every half hour starting at 7 p.m. with special drawings of $2,012 at 11:30 p.m. and $2,013 at midnight.

The party will continue with additional drawings of $500 every half hour until 2 a.m.

Running Creek Casino is located at 635 E. Highway 20, Upper Lake.

Visit the casino online at www.runningcreekcasino.com , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/runningcreekcasino and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/therunningcreek .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Strong Financial Network is supporting the community by holding its third annual canned food drive now through Dec. 21.

All donations will directly benefit the Lake Family Resource Center and all of the services that they offer to those in the community who are in need.

Please bring your nonperishable food items to Strong Financial Network, located at 1105 N. Main St. in Lakeport between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Anyone who makes a donation will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the restaurant (or local charity of their choice). But of course, you can bring canned goods out of the goodness of your heart too.

For more information, call Strong Financial Network at 707-262-1880.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The December monthly meeting for the Redbud Audubon Society on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church Social hall will be the traditional bird identification program.

This is a popular program and is great for both beginners and veterans of birding.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. with refreshments, followed by the program at 7:15 p.m.

The bird identification program is a great way to learn about the common and not-so-common birds of Lake County, especially if you are planning to participate in the Christmas Bird Count, slated for Dec. 15.

Even if you are not participating in the bird count, learning about common birds is very fun and gratifying.

Brad Barnwell will give a power point presentation featuring amazing photographs of many of Lake County’s birds. The program emphasizes the field characteristics of birds likely to be seen during the count.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The docents and volunteers of the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum are hosting a jewelry party given by Mackenzee Taylor to help benefit the ongoing barn project.  

The jewelry sale will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, at the museum, located at 9921 Soda Bay Road, about half a mile off Highway 29 in the Clear Lake Riviera.

This is a drop-in party and the jewelry items are there to buy and take with you.  

The price of each piece of jewelry averages $5.

This is a great opportunity for those last minute gifts for friends and family and there will be refreshments.

NICE, Calif. – The Sons of Italy will host a Christmas Craft Faire on Saturday, Dec. 8.

The faire will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sons of Italy Hall, 2817 E Highway 20, Nice.

More than 20 local vendors will sell their Christmas products.

Hot dogs and Italian sausage sandwiches will be available for purchase.

For more information call 707-274-2244.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Members of Sons in Retirement Branch 168 and their guest will celebrate the holidays with a dinner dance on Sunday, Dec. 16, at the Lakeport Family Fun Center.

Cocktails will be at 5 p.m. with dinner being served at 6 p.m.

The menu includes a choice of prime rib or salmon. Disc jockey Tony Neves will provide the entertainment as he has in the past.

Next year’s schedule of activities include biweekly golf tournaments at North Bay courses and out of town tournaments in Reno and in Monterey.

The travel committee is working on plans for a trip to Reno on the Snow Train in February, a visit to the Asian Art Museum to see the “Terracotta Warriors” exhibit in March, a trip to the horse races in April or May along with trips to see shows and plays later in the year.

Sons In Retirement is a public benefit organization that provides for the welfare of retired men from all walks of life who are pursuing a common goal, namely, the enjoyment of their later years with dignity and pride, by assisting these senior citizens to renew former friendships and associations, and affording them the opportunity to make new friends through association with other retired men, who also face the particular problems that confront men upon their retirement.

Branch 168 meets on the second Friday of each month. Their next luncheon will take place at the

Konocti Vista Casino, located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport at noon on Friday, Jan. 11.

Anyone interested in learning more about Sons In Retirement is encouraged to contact Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee at 707-263-3403 or visit the state Web site at www.sirinc.org .