Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Community

LAKE COUNTY – Saturday's “The Law Show” featuring an interview with Wally Holbrook, a candidate for Lake County superintendent of schools, will be rebroadcast at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11.


The show runs on KPFZ, 88.1 FM.


Holbrook is running for the office currently held by Dave Geck.


Holbrook will introduce himself to the Lake County public and tell the community about his vision for the Lake County Office of Education in his first on-air interview.


Holbrook’s opponent in the race, Judy Luchsinger, will be on at a later date.


Prior to the interview, the show will feature a short announcement from county Supervisor Denise Rushing.

MIDDLETOWN – The Middletown Majorettes will be holding tryouts for the squad on Saturday, Feb. 6.


Registration is at 10:30 a.m. and tryouts are from 11 a.m. to noon, and are open to the community.


Tryouts will take place at the PACK Community Arts Academy located at 21055 Bush St., Middletown.


If your son or daughter has ever wanted to be a part of a great squad of talent, now is the time.


There are 12 spots available and training is provided.


The Middletown Majorettes Baton Twirlers have twirled their way in parades in the past two years, winning many trophy's and also helped raise money for charitable events such as Breast Cancer Awareness and Twirling for Dollars.


There will be a flat fee of $150 to be a part of the squad and the squad practices start in March. The fee covers the uniform rental, class time, parade entries and other miscellaneous expenses.


Each student will be required to present a routine for 30 seconds to one minute at tryouts that they choreograph themselves.


If you would like to start in a baton class ahead of time the PACK offers them on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.


For more information contact Miss Jodi at 707-987-8230 or email your questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.packcaa.org .

Everyone who files a federal tax return must determine which filing status applies to them. It's important you choose your correct filing status as it determines your standard deduction, the amount of tax you owe and ultimately, any refund owed to you.

Here are eight facts about the five filing status options the IRS wants you to know in order to choose the correct filing status for your situation.

1. Your marital status on the last day of the year determines your marital status for the entire year.

2. If more than one filing status applies to you, choose the one that gives you the lowest tax obligation.

3. Single filing status generally applies to anyone who is unmarried, divorced or legally separated according to state law.

4. A married couple may file a joint return together. The couple's filing status would be married filing jointly.

5. If your spouse died during the year and you did not remarry during 2009, you may still file a joint return with that spouse for the year of death, provided the joint return election is not revoked by a personal representative for the deceased spouse.

6. A married couple may elect to file their returns separately. Each person's filing status would generally be married filing separately.

7. Head of household generally applies to taxpayers who are unmarried. You must also have paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for you and a qualifying person to qualify for this filing status.

8. You may be able to choose qualifying widow(er) with dependent child as your filing status if your spouse died during 2007 or 2008, you have a dependent child and you meet certain other conditions.

There's much more information about determining your filing status in Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. Publication 501 is available on IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

LAKEPORT – The decadent and delicious Wine & Chocolate Festival, an annual fundraising event for the Lake Family Resource Center, will be held at Mt. Konocti Growers from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, where once again ultra-premium Lake County wines will be offered for tasting and sale.  

Everything from pear champagne to award-winning Syrah and Port will be masterfully paired with luscious chocolates by Certified Sommelier Stephanie Green, owner of Focused on Wine in Kelseyville.

Green also will lead workshops on wine sensory and pairing food with wines, which will be held during the festival.   

Event-goers will have the opportunity to stroll through the winery themed venue while tasting wines from more than 30 area wineries, nibble on delicious chocolates, taste locally produced olive oils, bid on items in the silent auction, and purchase a wine country lunch and wines at the event.

An antique car show will provide auto enthusiasts and admirers an opportunity to see vintage cars and trucks up close while enjoying the event, weather permitting.  

Proceeds from the Wine & Chocolate Festival benefit the programs and services of the Lake Family Resource Center. Mt. Konocti Growers, 2550 Big Valley Road, Lakeport.

Admission is $35 per person in advance; $40 at the door.

For more information, call 707-279-0563 or 888-775-8336.

LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Department of Social Services and Arbor Education and Training will present a new subsidized employment program to potential employers.


This program is funded with newly available federal stimulus dollars with the goal of placing qualified participants in jobs to stimulate the local economy.


To be eligible to participate, employers must have had to cut back on employees because of the economy.


The Lake County Department of Social Services will reimburse employers the wages and taxes for qualified employees.


The employer will, in turn, provide supervision and training to the participants.


They are offering informational meetings for employers about this program at the Job Zone, located at 9055 Highway 53, Lower Lake.


Informational meetings will be held on Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. and Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.


The agency is excited to present this new program and hope that any potential employers will attend.


Space is limited, so please, RSVP to Jeremiah at 707-995-9015.

LAKE COUNTY – Lake County Dispute Resolution Services (LCDRS) offers free community mediation training to Lake County residents.


Nourish peace and prosperity in Lake County by helping your neighbors, co-workers, family members and community members resolve their own disputes.


To take part you must apply for this training.


Applications are available by calling LCDRS at 707-263-6800 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .


Applications must be received by Tuesday, Jan. 26.


Training will be held at the Lake Family Resource Center in Lakeport on each of four Saturdays –Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13 and Feb. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You must attend all four days to successfully complete this training.


The Community Mediation Training includes: working in teams, listening skill building, dealing with strong emotions and biases, working with diverse populations, interest-based problem solving, finding common ground, agreement writing and debriefing with other mediators. The training includes lecture and role-playing practice with feedback. Training materials provided.


Adult members of Lake County’s tribal, Latin, Asian, African-American, retired, disabled and young-adult (21+) communities are highly encouraged to apply.


Successful graduates will:


  • Learn useful professional and life skills;

  • Engage with a team of volunteer mediators and provide community and court mediation services under the auspices of LCDRS;

  • Be eligible to receive supplemental court mediation training that will prepare you to provide on-site mediation for small claims, unlawful detainer (evictions), civil harassment or civil short cause calendars.


Training is co-sponsored by the Lake County Superior Court Civil Mediation Program and LCDRS.


Graduates completing this free training are requested to commit 25 hours of volunteer time with LCDRS.

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