LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County has been recently been cited as “one of the fastest growing time banks in the hOurworld network of time banks both by member growth AND increasing the amount of exchanges between members in the network,” according to Terry Daniels, an hOurworld spokesperson.

Daniels relocated to Lake County last year, drawn to the various community groups that are involved with this time bank at such an early stage of its development.

His previous membership and experience with Portland, Maine’s time bank make him a welcome asset to the Lake County organization.

“I am inspired by the way the Lake County community is connected,” said Daniels, “particularly the way some of the other community economy organizations, such as the Lake County Co-op and Transition Lake County, have been networking within the time bank here.”

“We started the time bank in 2011 as the quickest and most effective way to build an alternative economy that leveraged Lake County’s strengths – its abundance of time,” explained Carol Cole-Lewis, project coordinator for the Time Bank, and Thrive Lake County. “We needed a way for our community to come together to solve our economic problems from the inside out, and a successful time bank is an important element towards this solution. Looks like this approach is working.”

A noticeable improvement this year was changing the software that the time bank uses. Switching to the hOurworld software, called Time and Talents, offered measurable results. The initial software was not so user-friendly, had no technical support, and was costly.

hOurworld offers Time and Talents free of charge to 140 time banks across the country. It can be accessed via an easy-to-use internet interface, as well as through a mobile app that runs on both Android and iPhone.

Also, financial support received from North Coast Opportunities this year was used to increase its visibility, infrastructure, and growth.

Members make regular exchanges with other members, recording their transactions as time spent, rather than assigning monetary value. Exchanges run the gamut from yard work tasks to haircuts, art lessons, cooking, transportation, and mending.

One ambitious exchange this year was a house-painting project. Work parties of time bank members were scheduled. Some had skills, some provided tools, and some were mentored.

Over several workdays, various members prepped, primed, and painted the exterior of a house, then bonded further during a meal served up by the host member. Many hands make light work, and many new connections were formed. Another member-couple is making steady progress on their fence-building project.

Time bank monthly meet-ups take place in different Lake County locations each month. They provide a valuable opportunity for people to get to know each other, identify their needs and talents, and begin making time bank exchanges.

December’s meet up is at Spring Valley Community Center, Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon to 12:00. It includes a potluck and white elephant gift exchange. This month earn time bank credits for attending, bringing a new guest, bringing a potluck item to share, and bringing a wrapped gift to exchange.

Formed by community members in January 2011, the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County is made up of members helping members, exchanging time credits for services.

The Time Bank has two office locations, where someone can answer your questions and help you sign up. Lakeport’s office is at 301 Main St., Mon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clearlake’s office is at 14832 Lakeshore Drive (in the NCO building,) Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information or to join, visit www.timebanklakeco.org . Click on the calendar for detailed meet up information, and for office locations and hours.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce with major sponsor Savings Bank of Mendocino produced the 26th annual Lakeport Holiday Lighted Parade on Nov. 30.    

Mendo Mill Lumber & Home Center provided the stage from which parade judges Jim Magliulo, CPS Country Air Commercial and president of the Chamber, Lloyd Wells, vice president of the Lake County Rodeo Association and Jack Baxter, a director for the Lake County Rodeo Association, performed their duties.  

Parade announcing duties were handled by Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the chamber.  Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen led the procession exactly at 5:30 p.m.

The parade entries made their way through the several hundred spectators lining Main Street and the volunteer firefighters of the Lakeport Fire Protection District once again carried the man of the hour, Santa Claus to close the parade.

The Lake County Chamber Board of Directors wishes to thank parade lineup chair Ginny Clinton and her husband Barry Clinton who have acted as the lineup team for 23 years for the chamber.  

They were assisted this year by chamber volunteers Mike Gomes of The Office Spot and Mike Riley of Riley Cab Co.   

Special thanks also to Lakeport Public Works crews who put out the street barricades for the afternoon festivities and the parade route.    

It was a good weather day for all the events of the day as several nonprofit groups had booths along Main Street, each featuring activities for children.  

The Lakeport Main Street Association’s Very Merry Main Street conducted an Elf Hunt for the public and also provided a Santa Workshop for children with pictures with Santa. The space for the workshop was provided courtesy of Bicoastal Media.  

Music from the stage was provided all day by Craig Swell of Chimney Medic. Following the parade, the Divas took the stage and led the crowd in Christmas Carols as Hospice volunteers handed out hundreds of lighted candles for the Light Up Your Life celebration.  

The finale was the lighting of the Lakeport Christmas Tree in front of the Museum. The Lakeport Kiwanis Club handled putting the decorations and lights on the tree.

Parade results follow.

Division 1: Floats

Class, Commercial
            
First place: Rocky Point Care Center
Second place: The Clearlake Club
Third place: Sequoia Senior Solutions
        
Class, Fraternal            

First place: 40 & 8 Voiture of Lake County

Class, Other                

First place: Brian Martin for Lake County Sheriff
Second place: Bob Chalk 4 Sheriff

Best of Division

Brian Martin for Lake County Sheriff

Division 2: Vehicles

Class, Clubs            

First place: Corvettes of Lake County
Second place: Clear Lake Road Riders M/C Club

Class, Cars

First place: Cadillac Pat and Sue

Division 2: Best of Division

Cadillac Pat and Sue

Division 3: Groups

Class, Youth            

First place: Lake County Diamonds All-Star Cheerleaders

Class, Commercial        

First place: Cramer Enterprises
Second place:     Napa Lake Parts

Division 3: Best of Division

Cramer Enterprises

Division 7: Equestrian

Class, Arabian Costume

First place: Mary Ann Reece

Class, Novelty Senior

First place: Lonne Sloan

Class, Junior Equestrian

First place: Karley Petta

Division 7: Best of Division

Mary Ann Reece

Judges Choice Award

Cadillac Pat and Sue

Grand Sweepstakes

Cadillac Pat and Sue

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Lioness Club will hold its sixth annual holiday craft boutique on Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7.

The boutique will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Middletown Lion's buildings on Central Park Road.

There will be quality handmade goods, homebaked goods, raffle prizes and craft vendor drawings.

In addition, the event will feature a reputable company that buys gold for cash. People can bring their broken or old jewelry and get a fair price.

For information contact Teri Beagan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-295-0535.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Kelseyville family welcomed a new daughter this fall.

Alisandra Rose Parra was born to Tony and Rachel Parra on Oct. 19 at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport.

She weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Chi Council for the Clear Lake Hitch will meet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4.

The meeting will take place at the Lake County Agriculture Center, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport.

They will be making plans for the upcoming hitch migration season, and will get an update on tribal grant applications and the progress of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife status review under the California Endangered Species Act.

For more information about the group visit http://www.lakelive.info/chicouncil .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lights, candles, action – it’s the holiday season again.

Brightly lighted decorations, elaborate meals and large gatherings are all part of traditional holiday celebrations.

Unfortunately, local SERVPRO restoration specialists know that these seasonal traditions also cause an average of 230 home fires each year, with an average of four deaths, 21 injuries and $17.3 million in property damage.

“Christmas tree lights and candles are just two of the holiday traditions that increase the likelihood of a fire starting in your home,” said Rick Isaacson, executive vice president of Servpro Industries Inc.

“There are about three times as many cooking-related fires on Thanksgiving Day and almost twice as many on Christmas Day as there are on non-holidays. It only takes a single distracted or careless action to turn a family get-together into a tragedy.”

SERVPRO professionals in the Lakeport area say that homeowners can help keep their homes and their families safe during the holiday season by understanding the dangers and taking some simple, commonsense precautions.

Holiday cooking safety tips

• Supervise items on the stovetop. Fifty-eight percent of kitchen fires involve ranges; homes with electric cooktops have a higher risk of fire than homes with gas cooktops.
• Keep flammable items – potholders, packaging, wrapping, wooden utensils, loose clothing – away from the stovetop.
• Don’t let lack of sleep or alcohol consumption affect your ability to concentrate on preparing the meal.

Holiday decorating fire facts

• Half of all holiday decoration fires start because the decoration is too close to a heat source.
• On average, 32 candle fires are reported each day. December is the peak month for candle fires.

Holiday decorating safety tips:

• Keep all decorations away from heat sources like radiators, portable heaters, and fireplaces.
• Use flameless candles.
• If you do use traditional candles, burn them in sturdy candleholders, well away from drapes and other flammable materials. Never leave them unattended and never allow them to burn down to less than one inch in length.

Christmas tree fire facts:

• 50 percent of live tree fires occur between Dec. 22 and Jan. 5.
• 31 percent of tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
• 14 percent involve decorative lights.

Christmas tree safety tips:

• Keep live trees well watered to reduce the chance of a fire.
• Check wiring on lights for breaks and wear, replace worn strings and don’t exceed manufacturer guidelines for connecting multiple strands of lights.
• Don’t leave tree lights plugged in when you are away from home or asleep.

“We hope these tips will be a reminder to Lakeport area families to make fire prevention a priority in their holiday preparations,” said Isaacson, “so they can spend the season enjoying family and friends, not dealing with the aftermath of a fire.”

For more fire prevention tips visit www.servpro.com .