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- Written by: Clear Lake Soroptimists
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A favorite long held tradition amongst Soroptimist members is making blankets to support teens in Lake County through the Totes 4 Teens project.
This year, Pauline Biron and members of her daughters 4-H group kicked off the blanket making.
Biron is one of the newest club members and owner of Lake County’s Edenberry Farm. She also serves as community leader of the Big Valley 4-H Club.
“When I joined our local Soroptimist club, I had in mind projects that would pair with other organizations that enrich the lives of our young people and help them reach their full potential – like the 4-Hers,” Biron said. “Our members had fun making blankets and learning about how the Totes 4 Teens program makes sure that teens in foster care receive holiday blessings.”
The blanket making continued at the regular monthly club meeting at the Ripe Choice farm where the group enjoyed another delicious meal prepared by Chef Tammy Lipps.
“We are multi-taskers,” said President Sally Munger.
In addition to making blankets, the club presented a donation to Sponsoring Survivorship and planned their holiday event.
The group presented a $500 donation to Julie Kelley, who, along with Shirley Crawford, founded Sponsoring Survivorship in 1996.
“We so appreciate our Soroptimist friends,” Kelley said. “They have been with us from the beginning – joining us on our annual walk/run event and donating to our cause.”
For years, the Soroptimists offered free mammograms, discontinuing the project after the Affordable Care Act passed.
“But breast cancer is present in many of us, and the American Cancer Society reminds us that it continues to be the most common cancer in women,” Munger said. “We have to keep supporting cancer survivors and efforts to find cures.”
Next up for the busy members is their annual holiday event.
“We invite everyone to join us this year for dinner, a holiday sing-along and some unobtrusive fundraising to help low-income head of household women achieve their educational and vocational goals,” Munger said.
Fawn Williams, the club’s treasurer, explained that through the annual Live Your Dream project, young women grow to become economically self-sustaining individuals and contributors to the community.
“Each year, we hear the heartbreaking stories of how the women who apply have overcome life challenges that bring our members to tears,” Williams said. “It is truly rewarding to watch their transformation and to know that our members support their educational journey toward economic empowerment.”
The holiday event is on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Ripe Choice in Lakeport.
To reserve a seat contact Munger at 707-485-2132. Also, to learn how to become a member or to donate to the club, contact Munger at this number and visit the club, Soroptimist International of Clearlake, on Facebook.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Christmas tree permits are a unique opportunity for citizens to help thin densely populated stands of small-diameter trees.
The Mendocino National Forest will begin selling Christmas tree permits online at Recreation.gov on Friday, Nov. 3.
To purchase a Christmas tree permit, users can visit Recreation.gov and search by forest name or use the interactive map to explore locations.
Visitors will need to create or log in to a Recreation.gov account to review guidelines and purchase a permit.
A permit must be purchased, limited to one per household. On Recreation.gov, visitors have the option to purchase up to three trees. The cost for 2023 is $10 per tree, and with a $2.50 transaction fee. The number of permits is limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Permits are good through Dec. 31, 2023.
Persons must be at least 18 years old to purchase the permit. All Christmas tree permit sales are final; no refunds will be made. Christmas tree cutting will be allowed only in specific areas in the Mendocino National Forest.
When heading out to the forest to cut a Christmas tree, officials remind visitors to follow these important tips for a safe and enjoyable experience:
• Plan your trip and check the weather forecast.
• Bring plenty of warm clothes, water, food, tire chains, shovel, a saw or ax to cut your tree and a tarp and rope to bring it home.
• Keep vehicles on designated roads and be prepared for changing weather and road conditions. Be aware of safety hazards when traveling through a burned area.
• Remember cellphone service may be unavailable, so carry emergency equipment in vehicles.
• Cut the tree early in the season before favorite cutting areas can’t be reached because of snow.
• Make sure you are cutting a tree on the Mendocino National Forest within the designated • Christmas tree cutting area and not on other federal, state or private lands.
• Cut the tree as close as possible to the ground and leave as short a stump as possible.
• Print your permit and make sure it is visible on your vehicle dashboard. If you purchase a permit in-person at one of our offices or vendors, you will receive a tag that needs to be tied to your tree when you transport it home.
Fourth graders, who participate in the Every Kid Outdoors program, are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit.
The Every Kid Outdoors program introduces fourth graders to public lands in their own backyards and beyond.
To receive a free permit, students or their teachers can register for passes online at https://everykidoutdoors.gov/pass.htm.
Parents and guardians will need to bring the pass for in-person purchases or enter the voucher or pass number for online purchases.
Permits can be also purchased by mail or in person at the Willows or Upper Lake Ranger Stations. If purchasing in person, individuals can purchase one permit per household and one tree per permit.
Several local vendors will also be selling Christmas tree permits. For a list of locations selling permits, please visit the forest website at https://bit.ly/MNF-Christmas-2023.
Before making a trip to purchase a permit in person, please call the forest office or vendor ahead of time to double check hours and permit availability.
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- Written by: Janine Smith-Citron
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Hospice Services of Lake County recognizes and addresses the unique ways children grieve and heal from the loss of a loved one.
Families with children ages 5 years and older who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives are invited to attend a one-day, free bereavement camp.
The camp is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Clearlake.
Camp activities are designed for healing in a fun and positive environment with equine therapy and a family art project. Wings of Hope Bereavement Camps are offered periodically throughout the year and are facilitated by bereavement counselors and trained volunteers.
Most of us will experience the life-altering experience of losing a loved one: the death of a best friend, a parent, son or daughter. These losses can be even more traumatic to children and youth. These are powerful personal events that, if not dealt with effectively, can cycle into a landslide of life-changing events.
Pre-registration is required for Saturday’s camp, and space is limited. For more information and to reserve space, contact Kathleen Bradley by calling 707-263-6222, emailing
Hospice Services of Lake County’s mission is to support and comfort people by providing the highest quality medical, emotional and spiritual care to help patients and their families navigate their end-of-life journeys.
For more information, call Hospice Services of Lake County, 707-263-6222.
Janine Smith-Citron is development director for Hospice Services of Lake County.
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- Written by: Friends of Boggs Mountain
The class will take place at the Little Red School House, 15780 Bottle Rock Road, Cobb.
During this class, the instructor will help you understand a topographic map, proper use of your compass and how to use the two together.
You'll learn about magnetic north, true north, and map symbology.
After covering these fundamentals, you'll get time to practice orienting a map in proper north direction and understanding contour lines.
This engaging class is a great introduction to outdoor navigation and map reading on Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest.
Please RSVP to
To get the best instruction, bring your own compass as supplies are limited.
Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.