UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Triple S Institute – aka Senior Support Services Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation, of Upper Lake has provided services for seniors since 1985 at the Upper Lake Senior Center at 9470 Mendenhall and First streets.

The office is open on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

They have the following programs available:

• Exercise, health and nutrition, Wednesdays, 11 a.. to noon: This includes information about  proper exercise, health practices and good nutrition.  
• Art classes, monthly on Tuesday (call for more details): Introduction to art – form, shapes, color and composition.
• Computer class, by appointment (call to schedule): Basic, individual help – Internet/e-mail, etc.
• Travel and book club, monthly (call for dates and times): Sharing travel and book experiences.
• Food distribution: Tuesdays through Wednesday.
• Information/outreach: Tuesdays through Wednesday.

They also offer friendly visitors in coordination with Konocti Senior Support; money management in coordination with community care management (basically help balancing check book); transportation to medical appointments; shopping, etc. There are volunteer drivers, with clients paying the cost of fuel.

They are there to help the seniors stay in their homes and offer these programs for the their benefit. They are mostly volunteers – seniors helping seniors.

For information about these programs and services, call 707-275-3513.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Star Chapter 442 will hold its next ride on Saturday, Sept. 22.

The group will meet at Xsite Motorsports, 14883 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, at 9 a.m. Kickstands go up at 9:30 a.m.

They will enjoy a beautiful early fall ride starting on Highway 53 to Highway 29 past Kelseyville and Lakeport, then turning on Highway 20 and heading into Mendocino County to Highway 101. They will travel to Garberville where we will stop for lunch at Calico's Deli and Pasta on Redwood Road.

After lunch they will head home the same way they came.

New riders are always welcome.

Visit the chapter on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Star-Chapter-442/146399068773126 .

 LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Hospice Services of Lake County received its first Star Level donation for its annual Light Up A Life celebration and fundraiser.

On Thursday, Sept. 6, WestAmerica Bank became the first 2012 Light Up A Life corporate sponsor.

Financial Sales Officer Sinda Knight and Regional Vice President of Lisa Kline presented a check for $1,000 to Anja Koot, executive director of Hospice Services of Lake County.

Light Up A Life is Hospice Services of Lake County’s significant annual event that raises funds to support its community benefit programs.

In 2011, Hospice provided more than $50,000 of care to uninsured and underinsured patients.

On an ongoing basis, grief and loss support are offered, both individual and group, to members of the community in need.

Hospice also consults with other healthcare agencies and physicians to help provide the best care to patients.

Additionally, Hospice offers classes in pain management, end of life care, advance directives and other concerns pertaining to end of life issues.

All these services are funded through the financial generosity of Star Level Donors making donations of $500 and above.

The Board of Directors for Hospice Services of Lake County has agreed to designate accumulated reserves to match dollar-for-dollar all star level donations received during this campaign.

Light Up A Life culminates in two tree lighting events that draw the community together in a celebration of love and remembrance of loved ones who have passed.

Lakeport’s tree lighting takes place on Saturday, Nov. 24, at downtown Museum Square immediately following the holiday lighted parade. The Middletown tree lighting is on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Middletown Plaza.

For more information about services provided by Hospice Services of Lake County, or how to support the fundraising efforts, or to make a donation please contact Hospice at 707-263-6222.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County Milers will again put the fun in fitness, including a crazy hat competition, with the fifth annual family-friendly Crazy Creek Beer and Brat Lite Run/Walk on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 7, at Crazy Creek Glider Port, just north of Middletown off Highway 29.

Kids ages 4 through 9 can enjoy half K and 1K races at 8:30 a.m. while youths and adults can take part in the 5K run or walk at 9 a.m.

All participants will get a souvenir medal and a bratwurst and beer (or root beer/soda) after finishing the race, which ambles through beautiful scenery along a flat, partly paved course with zero traffic. Plus, special awards will go to the top three boy and girl winners in each of the kids races, as well as to the top five men and top five women in the 5K run and the top five finishers in the 5K walk.

New this year is a crazy hat competition, with prizes to the three craziest hats worn during the race.

The annual fitness event, which drew more than 120 entrants and their families in 2011, returns this year to the scenic Crazy Creek Glider Port, located at 18896 Grange Road, about half a mile off Highway 29.

Early registration through Sept. 21 is $15 for adults, $8 for youths 16 and under. After Sept. 22 and through race day, all fees go up $5.

Participants can register online through RunSignUp.com (for $2.50 per entry convenience charge) or by printing out a registration form available at the Milers’ Web site, www.lakecountymilers.com .

For an entry form and other instructions, call John Sullivan at 707-987-3229.

The Milers running and walking group meets Saturday mornings in two locations: the parking lot of Hardester’s Hidden Valley Lake shopping center (Hartman Road exit off Highway 29) and in Kelseyville in front of, 3990 Main St. The public is warmly invited. Additionally, longer training runs are generally scheduled for Sundays.

To find out more about the Lake County Milers call 707-987-3229 or visit www.lakecountymilers.com .

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Postal Service is hosting a series of Passport Fairs in the San Francisco Postal District to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications.

“Passport Fairs make it easy for our customers to apply for a U.S. passport without having to first make an appointment,” said San Francisco District Marketing Manager Lani Meneses. “Plus, with many of the Passport Fairs taking place on a Saturday, it’s a chance to get the kid’s passports without having to take them out of school.”

From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, customers can visit the Clearlake Post Office, 14500 Olympic Drive, to apply for a passport without first making an appointment.

Application forms, information on the costs and how to apply for a passport book and/or passport card can be found at www.usps.com/passport or www.travel.state.gov/passport .

U.S. citizens also may obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 877-487-2778.

In 2011, the Postal Service accepted more than 5.7 million passport applications at more than 6,000 retail locations across the country. Most of the locations also offer passport photo services at a price of $15.

LUCERNE, Calif. – Lake County Genealogical Society celebrates its 35th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 22.

The event takes place at the Lenore Clark Genealogy Library, inside the Lake County Visitor Information Center, 6110 E. Highway 20 in Lucerne, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Lake County Genealogical Society was formed in 1977 to promote the preservation of records and to help individuals find their family roots.

Over the years society members have gathered a large collection of historical and genealogical information on Lake County including information about schools, resorts and cemeteries.

The afternoon of Sept. 22 can be spent sharing information with fellow researchers, seeing what is new at the genealogy library and viewing displays of some Lake County ancestors.

Light refreshments will be provided.