LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Big Read, an initiative of the Lake County Literacy Task Force, is starting out 2013 with a Chinese New Year fundraiser.

The community is invited to the fundraiser, which will take place at the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10.

The 2013 Big Read literature selection is Amy Tan’s novel, “The Joy Luck Club.”

A screening of the acclaimed film version of the book will be the highlight of the February fundraiser, with Chinese New Year refreshments included for all attendees.

The actual program month is scheduled for October of this year.

Tickets are available at the Schoolhouse Museum, at Watershed Books in Lakeport, and at Mt. High Coffee and Books on Cobb and in Hidden Valley.

For those who would like to support this year’s Big Read, yet are unable to attend, tickets may be purchased for the suggested donation of $10 and will be distributed to a Lake County teacher or librarian.

The Big Read committee is grateful for the support of local partners and sponsors for this event, including Mendo/Lake Credit Union, Mt. High Coffee and Books and the Lower Lake High School Culinary Program.

For more information, contact Program Director Robin Shrive at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee will present its 19th annual Fashion Festival & Luncheon on Saturday, March 23.

The fun begins at Noon in the Schoolhouse Museum’s Weaver Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now.

Those attending can look forward to a delicious luncheon from Chic La Chef, fabulous entertainment and, of course, the annual hat parade.

Prizes will be awarded for the most beautiful, most creative and best theme hats.

Fashions will be provided by Lisa’s Sizes 3-60 of Clearlake and Accents on the Lake of Kelseyville Riviera.

This year’s theme is “Meet Me in Paradise,” so wear your finest hats and come join the fun.
 
Tickets are $20 and groups may reserve a table for 10. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the museum at 707-995-3565.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Friends of Lake County Library group will have gift bags for sale at the Lakeport Library, 1425 High St.

Pick up gift bags for friends and family members who enjoy reading mysteries, fiction, historical novels, romance, health and animal nature books.
 
The gift bags also can be designed to your specific taste – you pick the bag and the books and they wrap them for you. Allow a week to complete your order. Your purchase will be gift wrapped with clear cellophane, and nicely decorated. All this for only $25.

Stop by and view some of the samples. You will not only be giving a gift to remember, but also supporting your local library. They need your participation and your help.
 
The library is a wonderful source of entertainment and information for children, groups and individuals. You can find practically anything you can imagine at the library.  

The library system is designed to allow you to order books from your home base, at http://library.co.lake.ca.us or by visiting the library and browsing to your hearts content.

Library hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, and Thursdays through Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

For more information call the library at 707-263-8816.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Delta Iota Tau, a Lake County chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, sells See's Candy all year through North Lake Pharmacy, located in the Bruno’s Shop Smart Center on Lakeport Boulevard.  

However, when holidays such as Valentine’s Day arrive, there is an increased demand for the candy and Bruno’s Shop Smart accommodates the sorority to set up a table for sales.   

Delta Iota Tau will be selling See's Candy inside Bruno’s Shop Smart from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., beginning Friday, Feb. 8, and continuing through Wednesday, Feb. 14, with the exception of Sunday, Feb. 10.   

The money raised through these sales enables Delta Iota Tau to make a variety of community donations all year long. All monies raised are donated to Lake County residents and organizations only.

Donations for 2012 have gone to Clear Lake High School scholarships, Operation Tango Mike, North Lake Adult Respite Center, Wreaths Across America, Sponsoring Survivorship, Lakeport Senior Center and Lucerne Alpine Senior Center Meals on Wheels programs.  

In addition, 25 turkeys were donated through Lake Family Resource Center for needy families for Thanksgiving and $1,150 was used to purchase Christmas gifts for deserving students and seniors.

When the public purchases See's Candy from Delta Iota Tau please remember that the purchases provide far more joy than to the person who receives the candy.

“Many deserving people benefit from your purchase of See’s Candy, far more than you may imagine,” said Chapter President Maura Anderson.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Center has had to cancel its Chinese New Year celebration.

The dinner and dance had been set to take place this Friday, Feb. 8.

Don’t miss the crab feed March 2.

For more information, call the Lakeport Senior Activity Center at 707-263-4218.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Library will present a free program on “Aromatherapy and the Immune System” on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. at the library, located at 1425 N. High St.

Aromatherapists Theresa LeGarie and Susan Walker have been using and studying essential oils since 1996.

LeGarie and Walker will speak about essential oils supporting the immune system.

Audience members will have an opportunity to experience the aromas of various essential oils and ask questions.

For more information contact Amy Patton, the library’s coordinator of adult programs, at 707-263-8817, Extension 17105, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Lakeport Library is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday noon to 8 p.m. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

The library can be found on the Internet at http://library.co.lake.ca.us and at Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .