CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Girlfriends Salon in Clearlake will hold a benefit drawing this Friday, Aug. 13.

The winner will receive a purse filled with goodies.

Susan Ann Thompson has a 3-year-old granddaughter who was brutally beaten one month ago. The money raised will go to help her family.

Girlfriends Salon is located at 14510 Lakeshore Drive, telephone 707-994-6303.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The committee to elect Don Anderson for District Attorney invites everyone to attend the official launching of the campaign to elect Don Anderson as Lake County’s next district attorney.

The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Lodge at Blue Lakes, 5135 W. Highway 20, Upper Lake.

Anderson will present his plan to restore the confidence of the people of Lake County.

The free event is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Anderson, supporters and those who might want to get involved with the campaign.

Complimentary appetizers will be served.

There also will be music and some low key fundraising activities for those who wish to support Anderson's campaign in that way.

Anyone who has questions of Anderson may contact him at 707-263-1775 or visit his Web site at www.donandersonfordistrictattorney.com.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – State Board Certified Specialist Dennis A. Fordham, Esq., will offer a free public presentation “Your legacy and peace of mind: Why a Trust and not a will,” on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.

The presentation will take place at the H&R Block office, 18983 Hartmann Road, Hidden Valley Lake.

Fordham will cover how to protect you and your family in the case of disability or death. A discussion will follow. Refreshments will be served.

UPPER LAKE – The Northshore Dive Team will meet this Friday, Aug. 13.

The meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Northshore Fire Protection District's Station 90 in Upper Lake.

All interested personnel are encouraged to attend.

The training will follow.

The team, which operates through community donations, also is seeking help in updating its dive gear. Donations can be sent to the team at P.O. Box 61, Upper Lake, CA 95485.

For more information, call team leader Capt. John Rodriguez at 707-275-9007 or 707-349-3367, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the team's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Upper-Lake-CA/Northshore-Dive-Team/289897949089?ref=ts.

SACRAMENTO – Citing concerns about how the Marine Life Protection Act is being implemented on the North Coast, Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) has asked California Resources Secretary Lester Snow to delay the process for at least six months to ensure that environmental protection is balanced with traditional access rights.

Chesbro made the request in a recent meeting with Snow.

“I have met with Resources Secretary Lester Snow and strongly urged him to slow down the process and that no action be taken by the Blue Ribbon Task Force for at least six months to allow more time to develop a plan that protects marine life and balances the access rights of traditional user groups,” Chesbro said. “I am confident that given enough time we can develop a workable solution between the fishing community, North Coast tribes and environmentalists. There has already been some movement in this direction. This is something that cannot be rushed.”

Since the day he took office in 2008, Chesbro has been a fierce critic of the process Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has employed to implement the MLPA. Chesbro has been resolute in his demand that access rights of traditional user groups such as fishermen and the tribes be protected.

“It is imperative that the implementation process be driven by local participation,” Chesbro said. “The plan that is developed must be supported by those most affected by it. To that end, the North Coast needs more time for all the stakeholders to work out among themselves the best possible solutions.”

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club donated three trees to Lakeport for the city’s parks.

Tree Chairman Doris Ellsworth selected two ash – raywood (claret ash) and one acer maple (ariseum paperbark maple).

The trees will have good fall color and provide wonderful shade. Thanks goes to Doug Grider and Tina Banuet for all their help with the planting of these trees.

Each year the garden club budgets for civic beautification projects. There are six locations within Lakeport for these projects along with donated trees.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year – the club was organized in 1955.

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of the month, September through May, at the Scotts Valley Women's Club House, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

Members, guests and all those interested in the club are most welcome. President Linda Waterstraat, 707-279-1270, invites interested gardeners to join the club.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

For more information visit www.clttgc.org.