MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In an ongoing effort to support women in Lake County, Soroptimist International Clear Lake recently donated $250 to Lake County Middletown Senior Center to help with the center’s Meals On Wheels program.

The center will soon move to its new building in downtown Middletown, which is a larger space with the capacity to serve more seniors in the area, many of whom are senior women.

The Soroptimists also recently donated $250 to the Clearlake and Lucerne senior centers.

Soroptimist International is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, locally, nationally and internationally. Soroptimist International Clearlake strives to carry out that mission here in Lake County.

Soroptimist International Clearlake is a nonprofit group open to women who are working, retired/unemployed or embarking on a new career.

Currently Soroptimist International of Clearlake is looking for applicants for the annual Ruby Award.

The Ruby Award acknowledges ordinary women who have worked in extraordinary ways to remove barriers to a better life for women and girls.

If you know of a special professional or volunteer or are one yourself, please contact Marty Comito, 707-994-8464, to request a nomination form. You can use the form to include a statement (no more than 750 words) describing the work and impact of the nominee.

Women and girls have special challenges and needs that often go unmet. Many Lake County women work in various capacities to meet those special needs through their personal or professional influence.

Recipients of the Ruby Award receive a gift of recognition and a monetary donation given to their special cause here in Lake County.

Past recipients of the Ruby Award have worked for health services to benefit low-income women, lobbied for childcare, others have volunteered at a women’s shelter, or mentored women and girls.

The Soroptimists meet twice monthly at Howard’s Grotto in Clearlake. A business meeting is held on the second Thursday of each month and a program meeting with a speaker takes place on the fourth Thursday.

Soroptimist is a term that means “best for women,” and the objective of the group is to promote the advancement of women through volunteer service to the community, and to serve as a global voice on issues of importance to women.
 
Women who are interested in learning more about the organization are encouraged to contact President Wanda Harris at 707-987-9027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The American Red Cross is offering a free class to teach residents how to help people set up and operate a Red Cross shelter during times of disaster.

“Shelter Operation and Simulation” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the multipurpose room, 14970 Lakeview Way, Clearlake.

There will be additional classes regarding sheltering around the lake, so those who are unable to attend the Shelter Operation/Simulation class may call to be placed in the next scheduled class.

To sign up, interested individuals should contact Pam Plank at 707-272-3665.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

The group meets from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 14310 Memory Lane in Clearlake.

The group facilitator is social worker Jenny Johnson.

Respite provided by the centers at no charge.

Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County sponsors the group.

Call Jenny Johnson, 707-350-3030, or Caroline Denny, 707-263-9481, for more information.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Party would like to thank everyone who helped make its 19th annual Democratic Legislators Barbecue fundraiser a wonderful success.

The group was honored that special guest speaker, Secretary of State Debra Bowen, was able to take time from her duties to address the club’s guests.

Special acknowledgements go to Democratic legislative representatives and candidates for their continued and generous sponsorship, including Congressman Mike Thompson, Congressman John Garamendi, Assemblyman Wes Chesbro, Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and Sen. Noreen Evans.

Langtry Estates, Moore Family Wines and Cache Creek Winery donated some of Lake County’s best wines for our guests, and David Neft’s music provided the perfect touch to the event.

Backyard Garden Oasis, Butterfly Skin Essentials, Clarke’s Collectibles, David Engle Hair Designs, Girlfriends Salon, Lakeport English Inn, The Saw Shop Gallery and Watershed Books supported the barbecue by donating to the silent auction. Their contributions are invaluable.

Other partners in the event were Classified School Employees Association, California Teachers Association, California United Health Care Workers; North Bay Labor Council; Operating Engineers Local 3 Unit 10, IBEW Local 551, SEIU Local 1021, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake Building and Trades Council and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38.

Clearlake’s Mayor Joey Luiz led the ceremonies with style and humor.

The barbecue could not have happened without the enthusiastic work of the members of the Democratic Party of Lake County.

Evan Willig provided another delicious tri-tip barbecue. Celesta and Norm Deter once again organized and mounted a beautiful silent auction.

Larry Baron, Carol Bettencourt, James Evans, Wil Flato, Wanda Harris, Shirley Howland, Paula Mune, Jennifer Popovich, Wanda Quitiquit and Wendy White all lent their time and effort to ensure the event was a success.

Mark Wickhamshire, chair of the Stonewall Club, and Johnnie Flato, chair of the Lake County Democratic Club, and the members of both clubs, were all tireless in giving their support.

Melissa Swanson with the city of Clearlake was great to work with and the club looks forward to having the event at the Clearlake Senior Center again next year.

The group also thanked everyone who attended and gave their support to the party.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust is holding its annual dinner on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Rancho De La Fuente on Soda Bay Road.

The Lake County Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Lake County lands with unique natural, scenic, cultural, agricultural, educational or historical value to the community.

This year, the Land Trust is fortunate to have retiring Lake County Winegrape Commission President Shannon Gunier as guest speaker.

Gunier will talk about the importance of winegrapes to both the Lake County economy and rural lifestyle.

The theme of her talk is “Lake County Rising,” and will not only focus on the importance of this industry, but on efforts by local growers to create and maintain sustainable farming practices.

She will touch on the shared goals of the winegrape growers in the county and the efforts of the Lake County Land Trust to protect and enhance open and agricultural spaces that contribute to Lake County’s rural character.

Gunier has been president of the winegrape commission since its inception in 1992. She has managed all of the commission’s activities, helping to direct the growth of the industry.

She has been instrumental in developing the Lake County winegrape region’s unwavering commitment to high quality winegrapes through marketing and education.

Dinner, including wine, appetizers and dessert is $65.

Social hour starts at 5 p.m. with entertainment by Tom Nixon and Doug Kauffman. Those attending may bid on a unique array of silent auction items while enjoying music, a glass of delicious Lake County wine and good fellowship. The dinner is being catered this year by Ciao Thyme and wines are provided by Lake County wineries.

Sponsoring the dinner this year are the Law Office of Dennis Fordham, the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Hanchett Publishing, Brad and Kathy Barnwell, and Peter and Nancy Gruchawka.

For reservations, call the Lake County Land Trust at 707-262-0707, leave a message and someone will get back to you; email the Land Trust at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; or simply mail your payment to PO Box 711, Lower Lake, CA 95457.

Payment is needed in advance before reservations are fully confirmed. Registered attendees will check in at the door; due to limited seating, payment cannot be taken at the door.

The Lake County Land Trust is a 501 (c) (3) organization. The trust owns and operates the Rodman Preserve on the Nice-Lucerne cutoff, the Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown and is currently working on various other land conservation projects.

Visit www.lakecountylandtrust.org for more information or become a fan of the Lake County Land Trust on Facebook.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club invites anyone interested in gardening and civic activities to attend the club's monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

The meeting will take place at the Scotts Valley Women's Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.  

There will be a demonstration at 11:45 a.m. on separating iris plants prior to the noon luncheon meeting.