CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Match your personality type with the four ancient archetypes for joyful aging – the Ruler, Sage, Magician and Wise Fool – and learn the opportunities for personal growth that they offer. Join this free public seminar at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, conducted by Konocti Senior Support Inc.‘s Senior Peer Counseling program.

It is a part of their monthly Public Seminar series designed to inform Lake County residents about the emotional challenges and opportunities of older adulthood.

This drop-in seminar will be held from 11:15 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church Classroom Building at 14310 Memory Lane (half a mile east of police station on Olympic), Clearlake.

Future sessions of this public seminars program will include: meditation techniques for stress reduction, conscious aging, crones don’t whine, Dr. Andrew Weil’s Healthy Aging series, The Charlie Rose Aging Brain Series and many more.

The seminar is presented by Kim Baughan Young, MFT, psychotherapist and program director.

Senior Peer Counselors and Friendly Visitors provide free in-home emotional support and companionship and are sponsored by the Department of Mental Health and Redbud Health District funds.

Please call 707-995-1417 for more information.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Oktoberfest will be held again this year on Saturday, Oct. 6, with a highlight of the daylong event being the “Dachshund Derby Dash.”

Oktoberfest will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown Lakeport. There will be games and contests, beer tasting and wine tasting, great food booths, arts and crafts booths, music and entertainment throughout the entire day.  

Want your dachshund to be a wiener winner? Enter your dog in the Dachshund Derby Dash.

There will be a short course for the short-legged dachshunds, with an emphasis on safety. All dogs must have some dachshund, but need not be purebred. There is a $10 entry fee per dog.

First place will award the title to your furry friend “2012 Weiner Winner” and his or her person will win $75. The $75 prize will be awarded to the top dog in both the miniature dachshund and standard dachshund race. Costumes are encouraged and the best dog costume will also receive a nice prize.

The rules are simple: Vaccinated Dogs only. Dogs must be leashed at all times except while racing.

New this year, the dog costume will be open to dogs of all breeds, and prizes will be awarded to the best dog costume for small, medium and large dogs.

Need more information? Call the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Office at 707-263-5092.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Star Chapter 442 will hold its next ride on Saturday, Sept. 22.

The group will meet at Xsite Motorsports, 14883 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, at 9 a.m. Kickstands go up at 9:30 a.m.

They will enjoy a beautiful early fall ride starting on Highway 53 to Highway 29 past Kelseyville and Lakeport, then turning on Highway 20 and heading into Mendocino County to Highway 101. They will travel to Garberville where we will stop for lunch at Calico's Deli and Pasta on Redwood Road.

After lunch they will head home the same way they came.

New riders are always welcome.

Visit the chapter on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Star-Chapter-442/146399068773126 .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Five Lake County community leaders have graciously agreed to be VIP judges, at the upcoming Falling Leaves Quilt Show and will select their favorite quilts based on eye appeal.

The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild presents the 11th annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

Show dates are Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s VIP judges are a diverse group, coming from all walks of life. Mandy Feder works as managing editor of the Lake County Record-Bee, Ken Wells heads the Lakeport Fire Department, Patty Howard manages the Kelseyville branch of WestAmerica Bank, Dana Kearney is part owner of North Lake Pharmacy and Ruby Glebe serves as Lake County’s historian.

A professional quilt judge will evaluate quilts based on skill and technique. The VIP judges, however, use different criteria as they examine the 250 quilts on display: they “know what they like.” The quilts that they select will be marked for quilt show guests to see.

Admission is $8 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Discount presale tickets priced at $6 are available until Oct. 5 at Kerrie’s Quilting, 1853 N. High St. in Lakeport, 707-263-8555, and Shelley’s Quilted Treasures, 5300 Second St., Kelseyville, 707-279-0324.

For more information, call quilt show chairman Marj Sweeney at 707-994-1186 or visit www.LLQG.org .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Triple S Institute – aka Senior Support Services Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation, of Upper Lake has provided services for seniors since 1985 at the Upper Lake Senior Center at 9470 Mendenhall and First streets.

The office is open on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

They have the following programs available:

• Exercise, health and nutrition, Wednesdays, 11 a.. to noon: This includes information about  proper exercise, health practices and good nutrition.  
• Art classes, monthly on Tuesday (call for more details): Introduction to art – form, shapes, color and composition.
• Computer class, by appointment (call to schedule): Basic, individual help – Internet/e-mail, etc.
• Travel and book club, monthly (call for dates and times): Sharing travel and book experiences.
• Food distribution: Tuesdays through Wednesday.
• Information/outreach: Tuesdays through Wednesday.

They also offer friendly visitors in coordination with Konocti Senior Support; money management in coordination with community care management (basically help balancing check book); transportation to medical appointments; shopping, etc. There are volunteer drivers, with clients paying the cost of fuel.

They are there to help the seniors stay in their homes and offer these programs for the their benefit. They are mostly volunteers – seniors helping seniors.

For information about these programs and services, call 707-275-3513.

 LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Hospice Services of Lake County received its first Star Level donation for its annual Light Up A Life celebration and fundraiser.

On Thursday, Sept. 6, WestAmerica Bank became the first 2012 Light Up A Life corporate sponsor.

Financial Sales Officer Sinda Knight and Regional Vice President of Lisa Kline presented a check for $1,000 to Anja Koot, executive director of Hospice Services of Lake County.

Light Up A Life is Hospice Services of Lake County’s significant annual event that raises funds to support its community benefit programs.

In 2011, Hospice provided more than $50,000 of care to uninsured and underinsured patients.

On an ongoing basis, grief and loss support are offered, both individual and group, to members of the community in need.

Hospice also consults with other healthcare agencies and physicians to help provide the best care to patients.

Additionally, Hospice offers classes in pain management, end of life care, advance directives and other concerns pertaining to end of life issues.

All these services are funded through the financial generosity of Star Level Donors making donations of $500 and above.

The Board of Directors for Hospice Services of Lake County has agreed to designate accumulated reserves to match dollar-for-dollar all star level donations received during this campaign.

Light Up A Life culminates in two tree lighting events that draw the community together in a celebration of love and remembrance of loved ones who have passed.

Lakeport’s tree lighting takes place on Saturday, Nov. 24, at downtown Museum Square immediately following the holiday lighted parade. The Middletown tree lighting is on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Middletown Plaza.

For more information about services provided by Hospice Services of Lake County, or how to support the fundraising efforts, or to make a donation please contact Hospice at 707-263-6222.