LAKEPORT, Calif. – “We need YOU” – that’s the theme for the entire month of September at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center.

“We have a wonderful group of volunteers here at our senior center,” said center Director Jonathan Crooks. “And, we need more to cover the 35 events, groups and fun we have here. We have other events we’d like to add, but need the additional volunteers to help with those.”

From art classes to welcoming, each event is planned by a team of volunteers, who meet one time each month to brainstorm and implement events.

This month, the bulletin boards in the reception area are filled with descriptions of these teams, including what day and times the event takes place. Also listed is how the volunteer can help.

“Our hope is that a person will scan the volunteer opportunities, find a day and time that fits their schedule and sign up to join the fun,” said Mary Veeninga, team leader. “So come in and take a look at our bulletin board. There are opportunities for folks with experience in retail, photography, computer, fund raising, promotions and much, much more.”

“Join the fun! Help us help others!” said Mary Beauchamp, promo team leader.

Bulletin boards are located at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave., or call 707-263-4218 for more information.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake will host guest speaker Diane Watson, formerly a member of Congress representing Southern California, at noon on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The meeting will take placed at Howard's Grotto, 14732 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.

Lunch begins at noon, to be followed by the program.

Watson, whose topic will be “women in mining,” is making a rare visit to Lake County.

She represented Congressional District 33 from 2003 to 2010, serving Culver City and portions of the city of Los Angeles and unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County.

Watson served on the House International Relations Committee, the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights & International Operations.

She also was a member of the House Government Reform Committee and the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, and served as the ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on Energy & Resources.

During her time in Congress, Watson chaired the Congressional Industries Entertainment Caucus and also served as Democratic regional whip for Southern California.

Soroptimist is a cause-related philanthropic federation of clubs working to improve the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.

Soroptimist International of Clear Lake holds monthly program meetings with guest speakers on the fourth Thursday of the month at noon at Howard's Grotto. Lunch is $12 and all interested women are invited to attend and learn more about the organization.

For more information contact President Wanda Harris at 707-987-9027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Thursday Morning Breakfast Group invites community members to come to its meetings.

The group meets at 7 a.m. each Thursday at Main Street Bar & Grill, 14084 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

The lineup of speakers and topics for upcoming meetings is as follows:

• Oct. 3: Lilly Barry, Northern California Vipassana Center;
• Oct. 10: Nils Palsson, Transition Lake County;
• Oct. 17: forensic psychologist Eytan Bercovitch, Ph.D., mental health laws;
• Oct. 24: Victoria Brandon of the Sierra Club, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area proposal;
• Oct. 31: Voris Brumfield, “Creating spiritual community across religious diversity.”

For more information call arrangements coordinator Elizabeth Montgomery, 707-987-8860.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Don’t miss the pancake breakfast hosted by the Kelseyville Volunteer Fireman’s Association on Saturday, Sept. 28, before the Kelseyville Pear Festival begins.

Breakfast will be served between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the firehouse, 4020 Main St.

Included in the $7 ticket price are pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and orange juice. It's a “pearfect” way to start the fun day.

Proceeds from this event are of great benefit to our local community.

Each year the fireman’s association gives scholarships to local high school students who are pursuing a career in firefighting, paramedics or other related areas.

Proceeds will also facilitate the purchase of new equipment that will increase the effectiveness of fighting fires on rugged, steep terrain such as we have throughout our county.

Join your neighbors and friends for a hearty meal at the fire station, grab a spot to watch the parade and then enjoy a stroll through the festival savoring the small town magic.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Democratic Central Committee will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3.

The meeting will take place beginning at 6 p.m. at 1210 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

The agenda includes reports from representatives for Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada and State Sen. Noreen Evans, as well as reports from the Stonewall Democratic Club Chair Mark Wickhamshire and representative from the Lake County Democratic Club Paula Mune.

The committee will be focusing mainly on its annual fundraiser, the 20th annual Democratic Legislator’s BBQ.

The barbecue will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Oct. 6, at the Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake.

This will be the group's final planning meeting for the fundraiser. Volunteers are still being accepted.

There are other issues such as a ballot measure and by-laws changes that the committee also will discuss.

If you would like to get involved, please come to the meeting and they will find a way for you to participate.

The committee invites public participation. Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Central Committee is the official governing body of the Democratic Party in Lake County.

For more information about the Democratic Party in Lake County visit www.lakecountydemocrats.org .

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTH COAST – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 53

– Highway widening and rehabilitation from Crawford Avenue to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. Work hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor – Teichert Construction of Davis.

Highway 175

– AT&T of Santa Rosa has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs from Anderson Springs Road to Bush Street. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Guardrail repairs at various locations from Ocean View Drive to Navarro Bluff Road will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor ‐ Coral Construction of Wilsonville.

– Replacement of the Greenwood Creek Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 5-minute delays. Contractor ‐ Golden State Bridge Inc. of Martinez.

– Pavement repairs from 0.6 mile north of the junction of Routes 1/128 to the Albion River Bridge will continue. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor ‐ Granite Construction of Ukiah.

– Bridge painting at the Salmon Creek Bridge and the Albion River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. Contractor ‐ Jeffco Painting and Coating of Vallejo.

– Replacement of a culvert with a bridge at Dunn Creek will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays. Contractor ‐ Shasta Construction of Redding.

Highway 20

– AT&T of Sacramento has been issued a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility repairs near the Wildwood Campground on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Bridge rehabilitation at various locations from the Pieta Creek Bridge to the Route 20/101 interchange will continue. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Contractor ‐ J. McLoughlin Engineering of Rancho Cucamonga.

– Highway construction from 1.0 mile south of the Haehl Overhead Bridge to the Haehl Overhead Bridge will continue. Daytime work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Saturday morning. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor ‐ DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.

– Highway construction from 0.8 to 1.5 miles south of the North Willits Railroad Crossing will continue. Daytime work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Nighttime work hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday evening through Saturday Morning. Intermittent full road closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor ‐ DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin.

– Pavement repairs from Cummins Road to the junction of Routes 1/101 will continue through Friday, Sept. 20. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. A shoulder closure will be in effect, and motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Ramps at Cummins Road will be closed, and motorists will be advised to use an alternate route.

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Ash Creek Bridge will continue. Nighttime hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., weekdays. One way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays. Contractor ‐ J. McLoughlin Engineering of Rancho Cucamonga.

Work on all these projects is weather permitting and subject to change. Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).