Lake County piano man David Neft will perform at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center's Meals on Wheels benefit on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – David Neft will perform at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center’s Third Sunday Dance Potluck and Social on Nov. 20.

Admission is only $10.

The dance will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and all are welcome to dance, socialize and enjoy the dishes brought for the potluck.

A raffle fundraiser will be held with more than 20 prizes drawn through the night thanks to a generous donation by Bob Barker.

The Lakeport Senior Activity Center is at 527 Konocti Ave., telephone 707-263-4218.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – All branches of the Lake County Library system will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, to observe Thanksgiving.

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

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m., telephone 707-263-8817.

Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake, is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m., telephone 707-994-5115.

Middletown Library, 21267 Calistoga Road, is open Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., telephone 707-987-3674.

Upper Lake Library, 310 Second St., is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., telephone 707-275-2049.

Jameson plans the activities, gathers needed supplies using mostly reconditioned or reusable articles and guides the participants through their projects which they take home each day.

The program was extended last year to include a project each month always with a certain theme.

Many of the garden club members contribute to the project, collecting containers, fall leaves, greenery, art supplies and flowers.

The program maintains that beautiful things can be made without a lot of expense while having lots of fun in the process. Reusing and reconditioning also saves the landfills.

The participants made greeting cards recently with pressed fall leaves with the poem by Joyce Kilmer "Trees" inserted.

The December project will include Christmas baskets filled with several types of greenery and red carnations. Valentine bags and Easter cards are planned for the Lakeport Meals on Wheels recipients.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of the month at the Scotts Valley Women's Club House, 2298 Hendricks Road in Lakeport.

President Helen Turley invites all interested in garden and related activities to join us.

The annual Christmas Wreath making will be held later this month. See more information at www.clttgc.org.

The club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Club Inc.

Approximately 86 students gathered to hear four powerful and emotional stories from guest speakers who explained how driving under the influence has impacted their lives.

Students sat focused and attentive as speakers told of the pain, suffering and life altering changes that have taken place in their own lives as a result of tragic driving under the influence events.

Some of the students cried as personal stories were shared. Students left the library at the conclusion of the presentations visibly effected by what they had heard.

Since the presentation many students have openly discussed how the presentation made them realize how bad choices can change lives forever.

Team DUI is credited for being effective in helping people of all ages to make wise decisions.

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 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

Judges will tour the neighborhoods and businesses on Monday, Dec. 19, 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 Tuesday, Dec. 20.

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 707-263-8843. You may also send an email to City Clerk Janel Chapman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A black bear cub. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Game.

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is seeking talented teen filmmakers for its first-ever “Bear Aware” Youth Film Contest.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three short films that most effectively educate the public about the importance of keeping black bears wild and preventing them from becoming habituated to humans, with a focus on bears in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

“Human carelessness with food and garbage is attracting bears to populated areas and putting them at risk,” said DFG Bear Program Coordinator Marc Kenyon. “People who live in or visit bear habitat have a responsibility to the wildlife whose habitat they are sharing. We hope that by recruiting young, talented filmmakers, we can get the message out about what the public can do to help keep bears in the wild.”

High school students are asked to create 90-second films using specific messaging provided by DFG. The top three films (as selected by DFG) will win $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place.

The general public will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite entry online.

The People’s Choice Award will receive a $100 gift card donated by REI.

In addition, the first-place winners will have the opportunity to accompany DFG staff on a rehabilitated bear cub release in spring 2012.

DFG will use the videos as part of a “Bear Aware” campaign to educate residents and visitors to the Tahoe area.

Because of the focus on the Tahoe Basin, the contest is open to high school students in DFG’s North Central Region, which includes the following counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba.

The deadline for entries is Jan. 31, 2012.

Full contest details, stock bear footage available to the entrants and approved “Bear Aware” messages are provided on the film contest website at www.dfg.ca.gov/BearFilmContest.