Lakeport Kiwanis members taking part in the cleanup the week of August 30, 2010, included, from left, Mike Ewing, Mike Stevenson and Barbara Lee. Not shown but also taking part were Jim Harvey, Arlin Pischke and Dennis Rollins. Photo by Eric Wheaton.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Kiwanis conducted a road cleanup this week in honor of the Lake County Fair and the visitors who will come to town.

The Kiwanis generally do a cleanup every few months on the stretch of road from the Jack-in-the-Box restaurant past the waste transfer station on Soda Bay Road. But this was a special occasion since guests are expected for the fair.

A total of 7 Kiwanians joined in the effort.

The group thanked all of the folks who tooted their horns in appreciation and acknowledgment.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Passion Play will hold a fundraising event on Saturday, Sept. 11, in Lakeport.

The event will take place from 4 p.m. until dusk at the “old” Thompson House, 3315 Lakeshore Blvd., Lakeport.

There will be outdoor dining on lush lawns under cool shade trees. Sip a favorite beverage at the no host bar, enjoy music, and bid on the many items at a live and silent auction and raffle. A barbecue chicken dinner will be served.

The cost is $25 per person or purchase a table of 10 and receive one meal free.

Please reserve by Sept.7 by calling Father Ryan at 707-279-0349 or Jeanette Kemp at 707-263-6390.

LLEGARA PRONTO! Recaudacion de fondos para El Via CRUSIS de CONDADO de LAGO. Al aire libre de comedor en céspedes exuberantes bajo árboles de sombra chulos. Beba una bebida favorita en ninguna barra de anfitrión, disfrute de la música, muchos artículos en subasta viva y silenciosa y la rifa con una comida de Pollo de BARBACOA deliciosa. En la casa Thompson, 3315 Bulevar Lakeshore, Lakeport el sábado, 11 de septiembre en 4:00 de la tarde til anochecer. 25 dólares p/per o una mesa de 10 y reciben una comida libre. Por favor reserve hacia septiembre 7 llamando el franco. Ryan 707-279-0349 o Jeanette Kemp 707-263-6390.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Goodwill Industries will be accepting donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4.

Donations can be dropped off in the parking lot at Bruno's Shop Smart, 355 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.

They accept small, portable appliances in working order; books; cassette tapes; cell phones; CD and DVD players; CDs, DVDs and videos (commercial); clothing; computer parts; small, desk-size copiers; computers; electronics; fax machines; furniture; housewares; household items; ink cartridges; jewelry/accessories; linens; monitors; printers; purses/bags/luggage; records; area rugs; scanners; televisions; shoes; stereos; unopened toiletries; toys.

Due to legal requirements or other factors they cannot accept the following: air conditioners; alcoholic beverages; ammunition/explosives; animals; baby items – strollers, furniture and toys; bathroom fixtures; blinds (unless in original boxes); exercise equipment; furniture with stains, tears or holes; hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, poison, etc.); large appliances (refrigerators, stoves/ovens, etc.); large office equipment (copiers, fax machines, etc.); mattresses/box springs; newspapers/magazines; swing sets; tires/wheels; wall to wall carpets and padding; water beds; and windows/doors.

All donations help provide job training for people with disabilities or other barriers to employment

The group thanked Bruno's Property Management and its owner, Bill Brunetti, for the use of the facility's parking lot.

For more information call Jeff Lambdin at 707-462-9660.

LAKEPORT – It just wouldn't be the Lake County Fair without a barn full of livestock raised by local youth, shown Thursday and Friday in fierce competition to see who has raised the best lamb, hog or steer, and then sold to the rhythmic patter of the auctioneers and the roar of the crowd on a warm Saturday afternoon.

The auction is sponsored by Umpqua Bank, which provides immediate payment to the youthful sellers, then collects from the buyers in the days just following the sale.

The annual Junior Livestock auction kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4, and is expected to offer around 230 lots of prize winning livestock, poultry, and rabbits for potential buyers from throughout Northern California.

A registered buyer's luncheon immediately precedes the sale at 10:30 a.m., offering a tri-tip barbecue to all registered buyers under the auspices of Grace Church of Kelseyville.

The luncheon is provided in part by Safeway of Lakeport and Foods Etc of Clearlake, and ends when the sale starts at 1 p.m.

In recent years, the sale has been split into two sales rings which operate at the same time, making for a total sale length of around three and a half hours and providing buyers with plenty of time to visit the rest of the Lake County Fair. An average of around 230 lots have been offered for a number of years.

"It's a real indication that the community supports youth programs like 4-H and the Future Farmers of America," said Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons.

“Those programs teach kids about agriculture, which is Lake County's largest economic sector, and about teamwork, sportsmanship, honor and responsibility,” Persons said. “We're hoping the community continues to support these programs, and we'd like to set a new record sale this year. Many of these kids save the money for college or other educational efforts, and eventually return to Lake County to become farmers and ranchers, so in the long run the whole community benefits.”

Steers, lambs, hogs, meat goats, turkeys, rabbits and chickens are offered during the auction, with grand champion winners crossing the auction block at the start of the program.

Two buyers are allowed to join together for the purchase of one lot, and buyers who are unable to attend can arrange for a proxy to buy on their behalf.

People who don't have enough space in their freezer to purchase at the auction may still have a chance to purchase prize winning meats, as a number of local grocers purchase at the sale and then offer the prime cuts at the meat counter in their stores.

Regular admission prices for the 2010 Lake County Fair are $9 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $5 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free everyday.

The Lake County Fair takes place this year Thursday, Sept. 2, through Sunday, Sept. 5.

The Fair theme for 2010 is "Fun for the Whole Herd!"

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – One of the more frequent questions answered by the Lake County Recycling Hotline is regarding what a person should do when a neighbor leaves their trash, recycling, and greenwaste bins out at the street after collection day.

The hotline first and foremost suggests that neighbors speak with one another, but not every neighbor is on friendly terms and some people find it difficult to bring up the matter with their neighbors.

To help get the message out, the Lake County Public Services Department asks that all residents be a good neighbor, and remove their recycling, trash, and greenwaste bins from the curb by the end of collection day.

Why is leaving bins on the curb a problem?

Leaving your bins on the curb is unsightly, may encourage others to dump unwanted or illegal materials in your bins (and you're responsible for the contents).

Additionally, leaving bins out may encourage vandalism, theft, or damage to bins and can be a safety issue by blocking pedestrian and bike paths, impeding traffic, and hindering line of sight to driveways and intersections.

It also may cause your neighbors to complain about your actions.

What can you do?

If you plan to be out of town after you have taken the bins to the curb, ask your neighbor to bring in your bins – then offer to return the favor when they are away.

If you have mobility issues due to illness or injury, you can contact your hauler about special walk-up service for an additional fee.

If you are a part-time resident of Lake County, contact the hauler for your area to purchase single-use bags. Place these specially-marked and purchased bags at the curb on collection day or ask a neighbor to take it out with their bins. Recycling can be taken any day of the week to numerous facilities around the county.

What can you do if your neighbor leaves their bins out?

The county has neither regulation against leaving bins out nor staff to resolve this kind of neighborhood issue and therefore encourages residents to discuss their concerns directly with their neighbor to develop positive solutions that work for the entire neighborhood.

However, if a resident feels uncomfortable speaking to their neighbor, the Lake County Public Services Department also has developed, “Be a Good Neighbor, Bring in Your Bins” flyers that can be downloaded from www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us and printed in color or black and white and taped to their bin.

To contact the hauler for your area about special walk-up service or single-use garbage bag collection, contact Lake County Waste Solutions, 707-234-6400 or 1-888-718-4888; South Lake Refuse & Recycling, 707-994-8613; or Lakeport Disposal Inc., 707-263-6080.

For information on more recycling and disposal programs such as the monthly HazMobile events or Bulky Item Pick-Up, please call the Recycling Hotline at 263-1980 or visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Club will meet on Saturday, Sept. 11, at noon in the Rose Room at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center in Lucerne.

The senior center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive (corner of 10th and Country Club) in Lucerne.

The special guest speaker for the meeting will be George Spurr, a candidate running for a seat on the Lakeport City Council.

The public is always invited to the regular Democratic Club meetings.

The regular monthly Lake County Democratic Club meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month at noon in the Rose Room at Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.

Membership in the Lake County Democratic Club is open to registered members of the Democratic Party.

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 Democratic Party of Lake County's Web site is www.lakecountydemocrats.org.