LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The third annual "We Love Tules" 4 Minute Film Festival is now accepting submissions.

The Lakeport Main Street Association, Sierra Club Lake Group and Watershed Books are pleased to announce that they are now accepting short films celebrating the "wild and scenic" beauty of Lake County.

Films will be premiered at the "We Love Tules" gala on Wednesday, April 18.

All skill and experience levels, as well as all ages are invited to submit short films.

Movies must be playable on a DVD player and will be accepted until Saturday. April 7, at Watershed Books, 305 N. Main St., in Lakeport.

For more information, call Cheri Holden at 707-263-5787.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Lake County Stonewall Democratic Club will host its monthly potluck and meeting on Monday, Feb. 27.

The meeting will take place in the social hall at the Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church, 12487 The Plaza, Clearlake Oaks.

The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting at 7 p.m.

Guest speakers for the evening will include Judy Conard and Michael Friel. Both are Democratic candidates running for Lake County Superior Court Judge in the upcoming elections.

Meetings are open to the public and membership is open to all registered Democrats.

Visit the group's Web site at www.lakecountystonewalldemocrats.org/.

NICE, Calif. – The Sons of Italy in Nice had a special visitor to their monthly business meeting on Feb. 15.

Lynn Lawrence-Murphy, state first vice president of the Order of Sons of Italy in America Grand Lodge of California, came to congratulate the club on all the work they do for club members and their community.

The Sons of Italy in Nice puts on three social events per month to enjoy on the Northshore of Clear Lake.

It also rents out the building as a venue throughout the year for birthday parties, business association socials, county town hall gatherings, private group luncheons and weddings.

Lawrence-Murphy was impressed with how organized the meeting was and by the amount of volunteering as most Sons of Italy lodges put on two or three events a year, if they are lucky.

The Grand Lodge vice president complimented the club on its donations to nonprofits in the form of dinner certificates or gift baskets, help with fundraisers like "Lights of Love" in February and the upcoming Miss Lake County scholarship fundraiser event "Night on the Titanic" Mystery Dinner scheduled for May 19.

After the meeting, members visited and enjoyed homemade desserts.

The  Grand Lodge State President Maria Fassio Pignati is planning on a visit to one of the club's functions, in March or April.

The club is located at 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

Everyone is welcome.

For information about the club or renting the hall for your own, call 707-349-2798.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will meet on Thursday, March 1.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church, located on The Plaza.

The group will hear reports from Chair Becky Curry and from delegates to the State Convention, held in San Diego in Feb. 10-12.

Speakers will be Lake County Superior Court Judge candidates Michael Friel and Susan Krones.

Also on the agenda, reports from Congressman Mike Thompson; Joey Luiz, representative for Assembly Member Wes Chesbro; and a report from Sen. Noreen Evans by Sunol Westergren.  

Stonewall and Lake County Democratic Club representatives Mark Wickhamshire and Paula Mune, respectively, will provide updates on club activities.

Central committee meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-277-0713 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The committee's Web site is www.lakecountydemocrats.org.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Peter Braun presents “Early Days of Harbin Hot Springs” on Tuesday, March 6, at 10 a.m. during the monthly meeting of the Stone House Historical Society in the Hidden Valley Lake (HVL) activity room, 18174 Hidden Valley Road.

Refreshments will be served. Stone House is open for viewing after the meeting. All are welcome.

Harbin Hot Springs is one of few California resorts from the hot springs surge of the mid-1800s.

Every year, thousands of people travel from throughout the world to “take the waters” at Lake County’s historic resort near Middletown.

Peter, a long-time resident of Harbin Hot Springs (www.harbin.org/history.htm), will discuss the resort’s history from 1870 to 1960.

Harbin Hot Springs: Healing Waters, Sacred Land by Ellen Klages will be available for purchase at the meeting.

Today, Harbin is renovated and operates as a nonprofit retreat center offering guests the chance to unplug, relax and renew in a natural setting.

The getaway offers cabins and private rooms, a restaurant, market, café, guest kitchen, garden and hiking. Its spring-fed pools, sauna and steam room are swim-suit optional.

Classes and workshops include yoga, concerts and spiritual gatherings. Recognized for its massage staff, Harbin practitioners are screened and selected for their healing art skills.

People attending the Stone House meeting should enter at the Hartmann Road gate of Hidden Valley Lake.

For more information, see www.lakecountystonehouse.com.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake High School New York Club will hold an all you can eat pizza fundraiser on Thursday, March 1.

The dinner will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at DJ's Pizza, 16135 Main St., Lower Lake.

The cost is only $8 per person, with all proceeds to benefit the club, which is planning a trip to New York City.

Presale tickets are available from New York Club students or Tracy Lahr.

For more info call Tracy Lahr at 707-295-7806.