CLEARLAKE, Calif. - The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce met for its first dinner meeting of the year at Main Street Bar and Grill last Tuesday.

Incoming president Pete Loustalot set the table with expectations for the coming year.

“If I'm going to be president, (the chamber) needs to start changing now,” Loustalot said.

Loustalot began with the board of directors calling for consistency and stability among the panel.

He said he will be looking for increased participation from the board as well as the membership.

“We have 485 business license holders in Clearlake and we have about 160 members,” Loustalot said. “There is a lot of room for growth.”

The chamber is looking to hire a new manager to assist with increasing membership, events and “get some structure,” Loustalot said.

The chamber anticipates gaining a permanent home in the near future.

With the assistance of the city of Clearlake and the county of Lake, the chamber is planning to move into the building adjacent to Highlands Park on Lakeshore Drive. The site will provide for a county visitor center as well.

Loustalot said meeting the requirements of the contracts between the chamber and two entities will be of vital importance in the coming year.

He said renovations of the building are expected to be complete in about six months.

Membership announcements included an update about a special section in the San Francisco Chronicle, “Destination Lake County,” set to run April 12.

Other announcements included the Lakeshore Lioness Club's “Walk for Fun, Walk for Paws” event, to take place May 2 at Austin Park in Clearlake. The event will feature a walk extending through downtown Clearlake.

There is no cost to walk; however, a donation of $25 will include a T-shirt, bottle of water and a ticket for prizes.

In order to reserve a T-shirt, preregistration by April 25 is required. Walkers may also register at the event. Walking teams are encouraged.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Lake County Animal Coalition, the ACME Foundation and free spay/neuter programs. For more information, contact Joan Mingori at 707-994-2178.

The Lakeshore Lioness Club will also host its 45th annual fish fry and raffle, 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Howard's Grotto on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. Donation is $10 per person.

Raffle prizes include $200 cash from Mendo Lake Credit Union in Clearlake; a night's stay with dinner and free play at Twin Pine Casino; $150 gift certificate from Griffin's Furniture; and a lube, oil and filter change and tire rotation and alignment from Tire Pros in Clearlake valued at $130.

Proceeds will assist the Lioness in its community service efforts.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .