LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Stars of Lake County Awards program has issued its first list of nominees for this year's awards.

The 16th annual Stars of Lake County will be held Nov. 16 at the Soper-Reese Community Theater in Lakeport.

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, Oct. 28.

For more information, contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 or visit http://www.lakecochamber.com/ .

The initial list of nominees is below.

STARS OF LAKE COUNTY NOMINEES

Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year
Sponsored by Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka

• Jerry Puett, Lakeport
• Mary Ferrara, Clearlake Oaks

Senior of the Year
Sponsored by Westamerica Bank

• Nelson Strasser, Lakeport
• Joe Totorica (posthumously)
• Linda Burton, Clearlake

Volunteer of the Year
Sponsored by Marymount California University-Lakeside Campus

• Diana Dahl, Lakeport
• Michael Vandiver, Clearlake
• Wilda Shock, Lakeport
• Mary Veeninga, Lakeport
• Anna Jones, Kelseyville
• Esther Stone, Lakeport

Student of the Year – Female
Sponsored by Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber

• No nominations so far.

Student of the Year – Male
Sponsored by Disney’s Trophies and Awards

• Noah Lyndall, Kelseyville

Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer
Sponsored by Sutter Lakeside Hospital

• Lake County As, Lake County
• Mark Cooper, DDS, Clearlake

Youth Advocate of the Year – Professional
Sponsored by SERVPRO-Lake & Mendocino Counties

• Franklin D. Gudmundson Jr., Upper Lake

Agriculture Award
Sponsored by Twin Pine Casino & Hotel

• Patsie Pachie, Middletown

Organization of the Year – Nonprofit (has paid staff)
Sponsored by Savings Bank of Mendocino

• Lakeport Senior Center, Lakeport

Organization of the Year – Volunteer (all volunteer staff)
Sponsored by Mendo Lake Credit Union

• Lake County Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitative Services, Lakeport
• Hammers For Hope, All Around Lake County
• Lake List, Lower Lake

Environmental Award
Sponsored by Calpine Corp.

• WorldMark by Wyndham

New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Konocti Vista Casino & Marina

• Danny’s Roadside Kitchen, Lower Lake
• The Spot Juice Bar, Middletown
• Cheese’s Main Street Pizza, Lakeport

Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Food’s Etc.

• Middletown Florist, Middletown
• Mark Holt Pest Control, Cobb
• Kelseyville Appliance, Kelseyville

Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by Bruno’s Shop Smart

• No nominations so far.

Best Idea of the Year
Sponsored by Kathy Fowler Auto Center

• Upper Lake Horticultural Happening-Grow With Us!, Upper Lake
• Lake County Hunger Task Force, Bountiful Gift Baskets, Kelseyville
• Memory Bear Family Keepsake, Clearlake

Local Hero of the Year
Sponsored by US Congressman, Mike Thompson

• Casse Waldman Forczek, Lakeport
• David Estep, Clearlake
• Don Anderson, Lakeport
• Forrest Seagrave (posthumously)

The Arts Award of the Year – Amateur

• Joshua Dylan Blair (posthumously)
• Lacey Baumer, Clearlake

The Arts Award of the Year – Professional

• Melinda Young, Clearlake
• Bernie Butcher, Upper Lake
• Sheila O’Hara, Lower Lake
• James Butler, Upper Lake

Woman of the Year
Sponsored by Northlake Medical Pharmacy

• Jennifer Strong, Lakeport
• Beverly McVey, Lakeport
• Pearlina Drummond, Lucerne

Man of the Year
Sponsored by Lake County Record-Bee

• No nominations so far.

Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by Strong Financial Network

• Sherry Harris, Clearlake

Spirit of Lake County Award, sponsored by John Tomkins, is chosen by the Selection Committee from nominations received in other categories.