The concept is simple: Bring in the highest number of donors for the December blood drive, which this year takes place Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Middletown Fire Station on Highway 175.

The competition is fierce: South Lake County Fire Protection District competes with every other fire department in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties.

Last year, the team was aced out by the Windsor Fire Department, who took home the handsome Silver Bucket trophy.

The decisionmaker is you, and you and you. Donating blood is easy, essentially painless and safe. Almost anyone 16 or older can do it, although only about five percent do.

Chief Jim Wright is putting some muscle behind the effort.

This year two firetruck bays will be cleared for the occasion, so the blood donations can be performed in an easily accessible, highly visible location.

Donors are invited to a tasty barbecue lunch prepared by the firefighters and the chief, between 11a.m. and 2 p.m. Every donor will receive a free Bucket Brigade t-shirt.

You can sign up for the drive ahead of time by dialing 707-987-3089, Extension 4, or online at www.bbr.org, so the blood bank can be sure to have plenty of phlebotomists at the ready. Or you can simply show up – the waiting line is not expected to be all that long.

Donors are asked to bring a photo ID with the date of birth. Be sure you’ve had lots of fluids and a good nutritious meal a couple of hours before donating.

You must be 17 or older (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and free of cold or flu symptoms, not pregnant and not currently taking antibiotics. Those who have recently traveled to parts of Africa, India and South America may be ineligible.

A medical screening will determine whether problems with diabetes, cancer and other ailments are disqualifying. Most prescription medications do not interfere.

Donating blood may even make you healthier. A recent long-term study of more than a million Scandinavian blood donors found lower risk of cancers and reduced risk of heart disease, mostly in men. But there’s no harm in women giving blood, all the same.

A few donors experience minor symptoms such as brief lightheadedness, and the staff is prepared to deal with those and make donors comfortable as quickly as possible.

Most donors walk away feeling rewardingly good about it, a condition that lasts a long time. They know that they have helped somebody – somebody facing a critical time of need. Every year about five million Americans require blood transfusions, and some of the life-saving blood infusion could be yours.

That can make you feel really glad you’re you.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27.

Sol Rouge is a family estate vineyard and winery located in the Red Hills Appellation at elevations over 1,800 feet.

North of Napa Valley in the foothills of the dormant volcano which formed the North Coast wine country, this land contains rich, red volcanic soil and, from this unique profile, Sol Rogue derived its name – translating to “Red Soil” in French.

This 70-acre estate is currently planted with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and will soon be planted with Cinsault.

Nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge, this aggressive site is all hillside with slopes up to 50% and is said to be the most tightly planted vineyard in the Red Hills AVA, with nearly 6,000 vines per hectare in some blocks.

The $10 wine & appetizer sampler will include new Sol Rouge releases – 2008 Viognier, 2007 Gypsy Rouge (People's Choice Nominee), 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County (People's Choice Nominee) and 2007 Sol Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Tied, Top Cabernet Sauvignon, Double Gold Medal, S.F. Chronicle Wine Competition).

At this special one-night-only Thanksgiving weekend event, LCWS will offer a sampling of appetizers from featured recipes found in 'La Povera Cucina', a new book by Kelseyville artist, Carolyn Marchetti.

The better part of Marchetti’s life has been involved in some aspect of art and color. A corporate art consultant for 15 years, she owned a company employing up to 20 employees.

With husband Anthony Marchetti, she appraised, designed and supplied artwork to businesses in Northern California. Upon retiring, she took up photography as an avocation that has turned into a vocation.

The book is a collection of special family recipes as remembered by Marchetti, from her husband's grandmother. The book contains insightful quotations and thoughts that she has collected over the years and photographs from her work as a professional photographer.

The body of recipes are what her family refers to as La Povera Cucina, or the poor kitchen. They are neither gourmet or glamorous. They are, however, memorable. The kind of food that fills the heart, as well as the belly.

Marchetti will be at the Studio during the reception event along with copies of her book and a showing of some of her newly completed photographic art that will be available for purchase.

Artworks remaining on display at the Studio throughout November include paintings by Ruthie Martin and Illustrations by Steve Bellah.

Lake County Wine Studio is located on the corner of First and Main Streets in historic Upper Lake, across from the famous Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon & Café.

For more information, call Susan Feiler at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

The Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce and city of Lakeport are sponsoring the annual Holiday Decorations Contest.

First and second prizes will be awarded for the best business decorations and best residential decorations.

This is an opportunity to shine in your neighborhood or have your storefront windows invite holiday shoppers.

Applications may be picked up at the offices of the city of Lakeport and Lakeport Main Street Association at 225 Park St., or at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd.

The form may also be downloaded from the city’s Web site at www.cityoflakeport.com.

Applications need to be returned to the city of Lakeport or Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17.

Judges will tour the neighborhoods and businesses on Monday, Dec. 20, to review the properties that have been nominated or who the judges feel have gone the extra mile to show holiday spirit.

Prizes will be awarded at the Lakeport City Council meeting of Dec. 21.

The first prize for each category will be $300, and the second prize will be $100.

For more information, please contact the city of Lakeport at 707-263-5615, Extension 12; the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092; or the Lakeport Main Street Association at 707-263-5615, Extension 21.

This committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Catholic Charities of Lake County facility, located at 21257 Calistoga Road.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Kitchen Gallery, 301 N. Main St., Lakeport.

“Fit Food for Foodies” is King's first cookbook. The book, which costs $29.95, has more than 60 fabulous detox diet friendly recipes that are a result of King's own experiences with eating in a way to cleanse the body of toxins, including old stored fat.

Recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free.

The cookbook targets a healthy and beneficial way of eating with delicious recipes that you will want to cook all of the time.

King has read many books on healthy eating and detoxification. She incorporates this knowledge into the recipes in “Fit Food for Foodies.”

The recipes have been specially written to suit systemic detoxification of the body on multiple levels. The recipes are quick and so wonderful that you will never know that you are eating “healthy food.”

There has been a lot of media attention lately about obesity linked to the Western diet heavily influenced by processed foods.

The problem afflicts millions of people who have adopted a Western diet and can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, adult onset diabetes, and high cholesterol. Many are allergic to foods such as wheat and dairy, knowingly or unknowingly. It is difficult to find processed foods that do not contain some amount of wheat, dairy or sugar.

Call The Kitchen Gallery at 707-262-0422 for more information.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The regular meeting of the Lake County Flying Saucer Club will take place on Saturday, Nov. 27.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. in the meeting room at McDonald's on Todd Road in Lakeport.

Everyone is welcome to the free meeting.

RSVP at http://meetup.com/lcflyingsaucerclub , email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-263-3391.