NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Cinco de Mayo is celebrated nationwide on May 5, and includes a variety of festivities, parties and drinking.

If you plan to include alcohol as part of your celebration, AAA Northern California will take you and your car home for free.

AAA’s Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. You do not need to be a AAA member to take advantage of this service to the community.

AAA will offer the service to drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, to 6 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, in Northern California, Nevada and Utah.

Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to ten miles.

Just tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be on its way.       

The service will provide a one-way ride for the driver and vehicle to the driver’s home. If there are additional passengers who need a ride, they will be taken to the driver’s home as long as there is sufficient room for them to be transported safely in the tow truck. You cannot make a reservation.          

According to 2012 statistics from the California Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 802 drunk-driving fatalities involving drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08.

This represents 28 percent of all traffic deaths that year. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment and reaction time.

Nationally, more than 1.2 million drivers were arrested in 2012 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. This is an arrest rate of one for every 165 licensed drivers in the United States.

AAA estimates that a first time DUI conviction in California can cost up to $12,000 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees, and added insurance expenses. You can’t put a price tag on a crash that causes an injury or death.

“Many people enjoy getting into the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, which tends to involve plenty of celebrating,” said Cynthia Harris, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “If you’ve been drinking alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel. Give AAA a call and we’ll make sure you get home safely.”

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lakeport City Council member Mireya Turner will be the guest speaker at the Lake County Democratic Club on Tuesday, May 12.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the social hall of the Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, 16255 Second St.

Turner will discuss goals for her first term in office. Time will be allotted for questions and answers.

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month. Meetings are open to the public. Membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Club is an officially chartered club of the Democratic Party of Lake County

Visit www.lakecountydemocraticclub.org or contact the group online at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Chiefs Youth Football League will present its Adult Comedy Night benefit on Friday, May 8.

The event will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at the Kelseyville Lions Club, 4335 Sylar Lane.

Tickets are $20 per person.

All proceeds go toward purchase of new football equipment for the program.

For more information, contact Eric Hoefler at 707-413-6062.

Visit the league online at http://www.kelseyvillechiefs.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – All branches of the Lake County Library system will be closed May 23 to observe Memorial Day.

Normal hours at all branches will resume on May 26. Call your local branch if you have any questions.

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is normally open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The phone number is 707-263-8817.

Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake, is normally open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 7 p.m. The phone number is 707-994-5115.

Middletown Library, 21256 Washington St., is normally open Tuesday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 707-987-3674.

Upper Lake Library, 310 Second St., is normally open Tuesday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 707-275-2049.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Christian Center invites the public to a Mother's Day weekend musical dinner on Friday, May 8.

The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church, 455 S. Forbes St.

The event, sponsored by the Saints Alive Ministry, will features local accomplished musician Jeremy Jernigan, a pianist and vocalist.

Attendees are asked to bring food for the potluck dinner.

For more information call 707-263-4514 or visit the church online at www.lcchub.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the spring weather continues, many of the county's equestrians are now enjoying the local trails and routes along rural roads.

The Lake County Horse Council would like to remind motorists of the integral part that horses played as a workforce in agriculture, transportation and many other aspects of early Lake County history.

That history continues directly into the present, in the avid use of horses for recreation and in the thriving industry that supports them.

Many people moved here to raise their children in a wholesome rural atmosphere that includes many equestrian activities.

People ride from their homes to local trailheads or into town. Equestrians have traditionally ridden to Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Middletown and Upper Lake to visit the restaurants and enjoy the street dances and other activities.

Most vehicle drivers are courteous and slow down when they see riders along the road.

Some motorists may not be aware that, when they drive by fast, they may startle a horse.

Other unexpected roadside incidents could also startle a horse into the road, so please slow and be prepared to stop.

Cyclists have equal obligation to slow down and speak to the riders before passing, as their bikes are silent and often surprise and startle horses.

Please note yellow caution signs with a horse and rider symbol and the words "slow for horses" may indicate rural roads where you are likely to see equestrian traffic.
 
Please be aware that riders and horse-drawn vehicles have equal right to the road.

The California Vehicle Code requires all motor vehicles and bicycles to slow down, yield to horses and look to the rider for direction.

CVC 21759 states, “The driver of any vehicle approaching any horse drawn vehicle, any ridden animal, or any livestock shall exercise proper control of his vehicle and shall reduce speed or stop as may appear necessary or as may be signaled or otherwise requested by any person driving, riding or in charge of the animal or livestock, in order to avoid frightening and to safeguard the animal or livestock and to insure the safety of any person driving or riding the animal or in charge of the livestock.”

If someone on horseback indicates to a vehicle the need to slow down or stop to avoid a problem, then the driver needs to respond appropriately.

If the driver fails to respond and an injury occurs, the drive may be found liable for any and all damages that flow from the accident.

It only takes a few seconds of your day to slow down, pass the riders safely and enjoy the rural atmosphere that includes horses as a form of transportation.

The Lake County Horse Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

You can learn more about their organization through its Web site at www.lakecountyhorsecouncil.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .