CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Wednesday, April 9.

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

Social worker Jenny Johnson is the facilitator.

The groups are sponsored by Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County.

For more information call Jenny Johnson at 707-350-3030 or Caroline Denny at 707-263-9481.

Respite is provided by the centers at no charge.

NICE, Calif. – The Sons of Italy club in Nice will host a fun dinner dance on Saturday, April 12.

The bar will be open for socializing at 5 p.m., with dinner taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the lodge hall, located at 2817 E. Highway 20.

Join the club for a homemade chicken cacciatore dinner that includes salad, fresh baked bread, dessert and coffee.

Dancing will follow with the Southern Comfort Band, a popular opening act for many popular country performers.

The cost will be $15 for everything.

Everyone is welcome, no need to be a member.  

Leave a message to rent the hall or reserve a table at 707-274-2244.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A fundraiser for a Relay for Life team will be held on Saturday, April 12.

The event for Team Marga Relay Ville will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Blondies Alley by the Dollar Store, located in the 1300 block of S. Main Street in Lakeport.

They will offer hair cuts, mini mani-pedis and massages.

There are no appointments and all is done for donation.

Team Marga Relay Ville also will have a bake sale, will promote a Scentsy fundraiser and sell raffle tickets for a cruise worth $700.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April 6 to 12 is National Volunteer Week, a time to celebrate the people who share their time and talents in communities across the country.  

Hospice Services of Lake County is honoring all its volunteers and the many individuals who help provide comfort and compassion to those coping with a life-limiting illness.

Hospice volunteers make sure that the people they care for and their families find hope within each day, have their dignity preserved, and are surrounded by love even at the final moments of life.

The goal of hospice is to help patients and families live as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness.

Many who are unfamiliar with hospice care assume that this volunteer work would be taking place in a setting of gloom and despair.

Hospice volunteers tell a different story – how the time that they spend with those who need it most can be filled with hope, dignity, and love.  

“Strangers allow me to come in at such a precious, personal moment and share that time with them,” said volunteer Marilyn Cleveland Shupe. “It is so rewarding.”

Often hospice volunteers choose to give their time helping others because of their own experiences with the compassionate care hospice provided to their dying loved one.  

Volunteer Pat King was impressed that hospice not only took care of her husband while he was dying, but also supported her throughout the process.

King said she wanted to volunteer to relieve the caregivers because it had meant so much to her.

In addition to offering direct service to patients and families, hospice volunteers support the Wings of Hope family bereavement camps, work in the thrift stores,  contribute administrative support in the office and help with fundraising events.

Hospice is offering free volunteer training to anyone interested in  giving back to the community by helping people in need.  

An orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by two trainings on Saturdays, April 26 and May 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The training program prepares the new volunteer with knowledge for visiting patients in hospice care and offering bereavement support to loved ones.

Interested persons can call 707-263-6222 for more information or to register.

NICE, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Party will hold a spring candidates' event on Sunday, April 27.

The event, which is a fundraiser for the local Democratic Party, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sons of Italy Lodge at 2817 E. Highway 29 in Nice.

Lunch will be served. There also will be a raffle and no-host bar will be available.

Tickets are $20 per person.

Dan Wolk, candidate for the California State Assembly District Four, and Mike McGuire, candidate for the California Senate District Two, will be addressing guests.

The 12 Democratic candidates running for the following seats in Lake County will be attending and speaking to guests: Lake County Board of Supervisor in Districts 2 and 3; Lake County sheriff; district attorney; county assessor-recorder; and county superintendent of schools.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are available at the door.

For more information visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org or call 707-533-4885.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A fundraiser rummage sale to benefit Middletown High School's drama class will take place on Saturday, April 12.

It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tatonka Trading, located at 14240 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

All proceeds from the sale will go to Cindy Radford's drama class at Middletown High School for new equipment.

Donations of items for sale are being accepted for pick up by Stephanie at 707-350-1245 or Sue at 707-295-2767.