KELSEYVILLE Calif. – Join the Taylor Observatory on a journey back 2,000 years to Bethlehem as they seek to discover which ancient star was the one the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus.

The observatory will again this year present “Mystery of the Christmas Star” from 7 to 8 p.m. every Saturday from Nov. 29 through Jan. 3.

This modern retelling of the Christmas story also investigates possible dates for the birth of Christ and looks at recorded sightings of significant astronomical events during this important time in history.

What signs in the sky could have been so intriguing as to cause the wise men to cross a desert in search of the newborn King?

“Mystery of the Christmas Star,” produced by Evans & Sutherland, will answer all of these questions and more, while charming audiences of all ages.

Show prices are $5 for adults and $3 for children under age 12.

The Taylor Observatory and Norton Planetarium is located at 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville.

For more information, visit www.taylorobservatory.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake recently contributed to the holiday “Totes for Teens” program.

Club members made more than 80 fleece blankets to donate to the program.

The club also donated 34 cosmetic bags and 30 sleeping bags.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee presents its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House Friday, Dec. 12.

The event takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the museum, located at 16435 Main St.

The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. with Santa arriving by fire truck.  

There will be an old-fashioned sing-a-long around the player piano.  

Bill Barrows will be on hand to play his guitar, and of course there will be refreshments, and holiday cheer.

For more information please call 707-995-3565 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Hydrologist Thomas Harter will discuss the current drought conditions and what is being done at a presentation Monday, Nov. 24.

The talk will begin at 7 p.m. at the Middletown Community Center, which is located in the building that also houses the new senior center and library at 21256 Washington St.

This meeting, presented by the St. Helena Creek Alliance, is open to the public at no charge.  

Harter, a hydrologist with University of California at Davis, will give a presentation titled, “A Watershed in Drought: Understanding Groundwater and Wells.”

He will discuss the water supply and the dynamic relationship of surface water and groundwater, where it is and how it behaves.

Harter's presentation will be followed by an update from Chris Rogers, senior field representative for Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada's office, on recent state legislation regarding groundwater management and regulation.

Attend and learn about surface and groundwater. Voice your concerns to Sacramento.

For further information contact St. Helena Creek Alliance Vice President J'net Crofoot, 707-987-3151 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NICE, Calif. – Sewer system work through the end of December will result in work hour closures on Butler Street in Nice.

Beginning on Monday, Nov. 24, and continuing through Dec. 31, Butler Street will be subject to closure between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday – holidays excluded – in order to perform work on the sewer system.

Work is being performed by Lamon Construction; any inquiries regarding the work being performed can be directed to the construction company.

Signs and detours will being place.

The public is asked to use caution while driving in the area.

The Department of Public Works thanks community members in advance for their patience and understanding.

NORTH POLE – Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And the Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter to Santa – complete with a North Pole postmark!

Here are the steps for your child to get a letter back from Santa:

– Have your child write a letter to Santa and seal it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.
– Tell your child that you’ll place a stamp on the envelope and mail it to St. Nick for him or her.
– Later, when alone, open the envelope, read the letter and write Santa’s response on the back of the child’s letter. Have Santa write: “It’s important to be green and save paper. That’s why I’m writing on the back.”
– When responding as Santa, reference your child’s accomplishments not included in his or her letter, i.e., Santa is so proud that you volunteered to help ____, or Santa is really impressed with the great job you’re doing in school — especially with math, etc. Sign it Santa Claus with a P.S. to get to bed early Christmas Eve.
– Place the letter into a new envelope addressed to the child at his or her home. Be sure to include: Santa Claus, North Pole, as the return address on the envelope. Don’t forget to apply a First-Class stamp – such as a recently issued Santa or Rudolph Forever stamp.
– Place the stamped envelope in a larger envelope (or Priority Mail envelope) with adequate postage addressed to:

NORTH POLE HOLIDAY POSTMARK
POSTMASTER

4141 POSTMARK DR
ANCHORAGE AK 99530-9998

– Letters from Santa must be received by the Anchorage, AK, Postmaster no later than Dec. 15, 2014.
– The Anchorage Postmaster will open the envelope, remove Santa’s letter addressed to your child, apply the North Pole postmark and mail it back home.
– When Santa’s letter arrives, have your camera ready when you ask your child to open the letter and read it to you.
– Share the photos on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #SantaLetters. Keep the letters and the photos in a scrapbook as a great family keepsake.

The Letters to Santa program adds to the excitement of Christmas and is perfect for interesting youngsters in letter writing.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.