LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Wine Country provides free tax preparation to low- to moderate-income individuals, families, and seniors.

Tax returns are prepared by trained and IRS certified volunteers at local community organizations.

Volunteers are being sought for the program.

If you would like to explore this opportunity and learn about the many volunteer opportunities available, plan to attend a one-hour introductory session at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Lake Family Resource Center is sponsoring the sessions at its Lakeport office, 896 Lakeport Blvd. in Lakeport.

For more information on how to volunteer, call Joy Swetnam, Lake Family Resource Center, at 707-262-1379, Extension 112, or 707-272-2660 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Superior Court offers mediation orientation and co-parenting classes for the community.

The classes are held every Tuesday, except court holidays, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at 380 N. Main St., Suite I, next to the Self Help Center in Lakeport.

The classes are the first step in the mediation process.

They explain the step-by-step mediation and court process, prepare participants to work with the other parent of their children, help them focus on what their children need and also help the mandatory mediation process make sense.

For more information call 707-263-6360.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Shannon Michele of Cache Creek Catering and Lake County Wine Studio will host the next Local Cuisine Scene on Friday, Dec. 14.

The monthly food and wine series features gourmet appetizers paired with select Lake County wines.

Locally produced foods are proudly featured as key ingredients in recipes created by Cache Creek Catering.
 
The series is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. The per person cost is $20 and reservations are required.
 
November’s event featured Lake County pears with onion and dry Jack cheese in strudels served with Thorn Hill Pinot Grigio.  

The second course was cider glazed turkey with parsnip and potato purée with dried cherry, pomegranate, cranberry sauce paired with Bell Hill Merlot.  

The final pairing of a pumpkin muffin with Moore Family Winery Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc completed the three-course event.

Dec. 14 will feature Lavender Blue wines with a white cheddar fondue and assorted dippers served with Cabernet Sauvignon, cocoa nib rubbed beef, winter squash and dried fig on a skewer paired with Petite Sirah. The final course will be panforte paired with Tawny Syrah.

Jan. 18 will be the next date to follow for the Local Cuisine Scene event.
 
For reservations and additional information, contact Susan Feiler at 707-293-8752.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Service Director Caroline C. Chavez announced that the Eastlake Landfill in Clearlake and the Public Services office will be closed Monday, Dec. 24, and Tuesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday.

The landfill and the Public Services office will reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26.

Normal landfill operating hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily. The Public Services office normal operational hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Christmas trees can be dropped off at Lake County Waste Solution 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport and at the Southlake Refuse Recycling drop off located at the Eastlake Landfill, 16015 Davis St. in Clearlake and Quackenbush at 16520 Davis St., starting Dec. 26.

Both buyback/drop off centers are open from 7:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. daily and accept many other recyclable materials.

Lake County Waste Solutions and South Lake Refuse & Recycling will be providing for their customers, free curbside Christmas tree recycling.

Place your tree in to your green waste container on your regular pick up day. Please remove all ornaments, lights and tinsel for all Christmas tree recycling, no flocked trees will be accepted.

If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1760.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association is seeking entrance for the Charlene Kingsley Annual Christmas Decorating Contest.

The first place business will receive a commemorative plaque.

The first place residence receives $250 plus a personalized ornament commemorating their win. The second place residence receives $150 and third place receives $75.  

Entry forms are available at Red & White Store, Mediacom, Chevron, Shoreline Realty, Shannon Ridge Wine Tasting and Marketplace and Twila Bechler’s Agency of Farmers Insurance in Clearlake. A form also is available for download below.

Entries must be received at Mediacom in Clearlake Oaks by Monday, Dec. 10.

Judging will take place after dark on Wednesday, Dec. 12, until 9 p.m.

All winners will receive an invitation for two to the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Business Association Christmas Party Dinner Meeting and Award Presentation.

The meeting will be held at the Live Oaks Senior Center, 12502 Foothill Blvd. in Clearlake Oaks on Thursday, Dec. 27, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Get in the spirit and enter today. Questions may be directed to Twila Bechler at 707-995-0766.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Upper Lake Boosters Club is holding a fundraiser drawing is benefit Upper Lake High School’s cross country and football teams.

A $5 ticket gives entrants the chance to win the grand prize, a case of a variety of Lake County wines valued at $300.

There also will be several runners up who each will win a bottle of wine or a gift certificate from local businesses.

Ticket sales are now under way; the drawing will be held Friday, Dec. 21, at the Upper Lake High School basketball game.

The prizes can be seen at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4102293760346.2138611.1373015265&type=3 .

Tickets can be purchased at the Lake County Wine Studio in Upper Lake, Bell Hill Vineyards in Lakeport, Sentry Market in Nice and Lakeview Market & Deli in Lucerne.

You must be 21 years old to purchase these raffle tickets.