Like all nonprofit service organizations, Community Care was severely cut in the California state budget. But they continue to provide outstanding support to so many living in Lake and Mendocino counties.

From their offices in Clearlake, Ft Bragg and Ukiah, Community Care serves more than 400 clients who might otherwise be in nursing or supported living facilities.

These citizens enjoy a quality of life that would not otherwise be possible without the gentle support of Community Care's care managers and nurses.

If you would like to contribute to these worthwhile efforts, please visit www.communitycare707.com and click on the “Donate” button. They also welcome donations by mail to Community Care, 301 S. State St, Ukiah CA 95482. As a registered nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible.

The meeting will be hosted by Ukiah Garden Club at the clubhouse, 1203 W. Clay St., Ukiah.

Registration and coffee hour start at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting starts at 10:30 a.m., to be followed by the lunch ($12 by reservation only, make checks to Ukiah Garden Club, PO Box 447, Ukiah, Calif. 95482). Menu is a variety of soups and salads.

The fundraiser is 50-50 drawing; potted and named plants, books and items also will be sold.

The meeting's speaker will be Jo Jameson, president of Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club, who will present her garden therapy projects. You’ll have a chance to create a pressed flower mini “stand-up” card that she did with participants in the club's Adult Respite Program and they found it to be very enjoyable. Samples of other projects will be on display.

There are six garden clubs all within the Mendo-Lake District (www.mendolakedistrict.org). All the districts in California are under the Calif. Garden Club Inc. (www.CaliforniaGardenClubs.org), then within the Pacific Region (www.PacificregionGardenClubs.org), and then the National Garden Clubs Inc. (www.gardenclub.org ). These Web sites contain a wealth of information – check them out.

GinaBelle Smith is our Mendo-Lake District Director. For further information check out any of the above Web sites or call 707-964-3798.

All are welcome to visit the garden clubs. The district meets quarterly and the public is invited to attend any of the meetings. Watch for future announcements of meetings and activities.

High schooler Tenae Chiotti Stewart is hosting a USO benefit dance in Lower Lake on Saturday, January 23, 2010.

LOWER LAKE – Tenae Chiotti Stewart, a 16-year-old local high school student, is hosting a 1940s swing dance on Jan. 23 to benefit the USO.

The dance will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Lower Lake Brick Hall located in Lower Lake.

The proceeds will benefit the USO, an organization that helps to provide entertainment and many other services to United States troops and their families.

The event will include live swing music by David Neft and friends, a dessert buffet by Chic Le Chef of Hidden Valley Lake, a silent auction, a World War II costume contest, a swing dance contest complete with instructions and souvenirs available for purchase.

Tickets are available at Middletown Florist ($35 per or $50 for two). Call 707-987-9500 to order tickets over the phone or come in to purchase.

The club meets Saturday, Jan. 9, at noon at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center in Lucerne, located at 3985 Country Club Drive (corner of 10^th and Country Club).

The senior center serves breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon.

The public is invited. Membership in the Lake County Democratic Club is open to registered members of the Democratic Party.

For more information e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-277-0713.

Social time starts at noon. Flower roll call is at 12:30 p.m.

The 1 p.m. meeting will be followed by a program featuring Master Garden and garden club member Mary Welsh, who will speak on pest control of roses, soil preparation and the products she uses.

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

Members, guests and all those who are interested are most welcome to attend. President Jo Jameson, 707-263-4039, invites interested gardeners to join.

For more information see www.clttgc.org .

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