Pictured are Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians Tribal Council Chairman Carl Rivera, Christina Diaz, Debra Sanchez and Tribal Council Representative Tim Rivera. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Twin Pine Casino and Hotel recently concluded its annual holiday food drive.

During the drive, the casino collected more than 8,000 canned and dried food items, which have been donated to the Spirit of the Season Rural Food Project.

The food is distributed to families in need throughout the Lake County area to help make their holidays a little bit brighter.

“We are happy to be a part of this community effort and be able to participate in such a worthwhile cause,” said Carl Rivera, tribal council chairman of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, which owns and operates the casino.

If anyone is interested in donating more food items or making a tax-deductible donation to the Spirit of the Season effort, contact Hedy Montoya at 707-987-8139.

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel is located at 22223 Highway 29 at Rancheria Road in Middletown, telephone 707-987-0197 or 800-564-4872.

Visit the casino online at www.TwinPine.com .

From left to right, Barbara Breunig, Lakeport Main Street Association Board of Directors president; Ari Lopez, association board vice president; and association Executive Director Carol Hays about to draw the winners from the Christmas bag and award the checks on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, in Lakeport, Calif. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The downtown Lakeport “Shop for Cash” contest concluded Tuesday with a drawing at Museum Square where the winners of three cash prizes were announced.

First prize of $500 went to Lyle Madeson of Kelseyville. Second place winner, bringing home $250, was Lilly Fiora of Clearlake Oaks. In third place, winning $100, was Gary Dromi of Lakeport.

The contest was sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association (LMSA).

More than 200 shoppers competed in “Shop for Cash” by purchasing from a local merchant in amounts of $50 or more and spending a total of $250 at one or all of 12 participating stores over a three week period.

Downtown Lakeport merchants taking part in the contest were Campos Casuals, The Game Shop, ENVY Tanning Salon, Healing Earth Gifts, Hillside Honda, The Kitchen Gallery, Lakeport Tire & Auto, Main Street Gallery, Main Street Gifts, Pieces Boutique, Shari’s Secret Garden and Watershed Books.

The Lakeport Main Street Association was formed to unite businesses in the downtown Lakeport corridor with a common goal.

This goal, ultimately, is to improve and maintain a thriving downtown, thereby attracting diners as well as shoppers to our city.

From left to right, Lakeport Main Street Association Executive Director Carol Hays and Lilly Fiora of Clearlake Oaks, Calif. Fiora was the second place winner of downtown Lakeport's Shop for Cash contest, taking home $250 in cash on Tuesday, December 21, 2010. Courtesy photo.

The event will hit the stage at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre for three performances – two on Saturday, April 9, and a matinée on Sunday, April 10, 2011.

Chamber officials said they were “blown away” by the response to the 2010 debut of this new event.

Thanks to the perseverance of Jan Parkinson who brought the idea to the chamber and the huge number of people who stepped up to perform, act as crew, etc., the audiences who filled the theater on May 15 were treated to lots of music, fun and laughter.

Following the final performance, many were urging the chamber to bring it back for another weekend, thus the decision to do three performances in 2011.

For those in the 2010 show, they will not have to audition if they choose to be in one of the acts/songs the event committee has chosen.

The committee has chosen many songs through the decades, so if you were in the show last year, just call the chamber and let them know you want to be in it again.

The committee has been meeting and has chosen songs around the theme “Syncing Thru the Decades” with songs from Ethel Merman singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from the 1940s to Lady Gaga and everything in between.

The auditions are for those individuals and groups who may want to bring in their own song or act.

While many of the songs have been chosen, if you and/or your group are particularly interested in doing a favorite song of your own, there will be room for a few acts to be added after each (new) act auditions in front of a panel of judges.

The auditions have been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, at the chamber office, 875 Lakeport Blvd., at Vista Point in Lakeport.

Please bring your group and your music on a DVD.

The Lake County Chamber office is closed the week of Dec. 27 so when you call 707-263-5092, press 5 and leave your contact information.

Get ready to party hearty and have the time of your life!

Miss Lake County Loren Berlinn, gift basket winner Patricia Beedle and Lioness President Carol Thompson at the Konocti Lioness Club's Christmas luncheon meeting on Thursday, December 16, 2010, in Kelseyville, Calif. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – At the Dec. 16 Christmas luncheon meeting held at the Riviera Hills Restaurant in Clearlake Riviera, the Konocti Lioness Club had as its special guest Miss Lake County Loren Berlinn and her Director Sandra Orchid.

The club asked Berlinn to draw the winning ticket for the Christmas gift basket for which the Lioness had sold tickets to raise funds for their camperships for youngsters with special needs.

Funds are also donated to assist needy youngsters and families at Christmas time.

The winner of the Christmas basket was Patricia Beedle of Kelseyville.

NICE, Calif. – The Sons of Italy group will host its monthly spaghetti feed on Sunday, Jan. 2.

The dinner will be held from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sons of Italy Hall, 2817 Highway 20, Nice.

Come and enjoy homemade spaghetti sauce with salad, garlic bread and dessert. Sausages and meatballs will be available.

The bar will be open for socializing.

For more information on this event or for renting the hall for your own event call 707-274-2244.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Following its Dec. 16 Christmas luncheon meeting, the Konocti Lioness Club delivered to the Kelseyville Fire Department gaily wrapped Christmas gifts to brighten the day for needy youngsters of Lake County.

Pictured above is Fireman D. J. Kennedy and Konocti Lioness Bunny De Lope.