LAKEPORT, Calif. – Have gas prices kept you from giving back to others in this recession? Good news!

A special grant has allowed the Senior Peer Counseling and Friendly Visitor programs to reimburse you for your gas as you travel to lend a listening ear to a senior in need.

If you are 55 years old or older and would like to give back, make new friends and learn the secrets of aging gracefully, please call now for our Senior Peer Counseling Spring Volunteer Training beginning Tuesday, May 29.

Learn to help seniors talk through a discouraging time, access services, cope with losses and adapt to the challenges of older age.

Volunteers will learn skills such as compassionate listening, strategic coping, and clear communicating.

Volunteers will share their experiences with other inspirational volunteers, engage in lively discussions about senior issues, and receive weekly training in the gifts and challenges of aging.

You will learn the secrets of increasing peace of mind, reducing stress, recovering from a loss, building healthy relationships and exploring the spiritual advantages of later life.

As a volunteer, you will spend a total of about four hours a week with clients and attending a Tuesday morning group supervision session.

This free training facilitated by psychotherapist and Program Director Kim Baughan Young MFT, and includes experiential practice, movie clips, lively group discussion and even free lunches.

Call Young at Konocti Senior Support today for your application at 707-350-3590.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Republican Party of Lake County invites the community to a very special barbecue dinner featuring guest speaker Ward Connerly.

The event will be held at Brunetti Tuscan Garden, 4750 George Road in Lakeport, on Saturday, June 23. Cocktails will begin with 5 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Connerly is a nationally recognized political activist, former University of California regent and author.

Connerly spoke in Lake County in 2003 to a overflowing crowd.

He has called for the end of Affirmative Action, declaring that the time of race-based preferences has passed.

So far Connerly has been successful in his efforts to roll back Affirmative Action in California,Washington state and Michigan, and is pushing ballot initiatives this fall in Missouri, Colorado,Oklahoma and Nebraska.

At the event his books will be on sale, including “Lessons From My Uncle James: Beyond skin Color to the Content of Our Character” and “Creating Equal: My Fight Against Race Preferences.”

The cost of the dinner is $40 per person.

Make your checks to Republican Party of Lake County; Mail to 12285 High Valley Road Clearlake Oaks, Ca. 95423.

For more information call Janeane Bogner at 707-998-3280.

The Republican Central Committee is the official governing body of the Republican Party in Lake County.

Meetings are open to the public and committee membership is open to all registered Republicans.   

For more information contact Chairman Shirley Henrickson at 707-998-1774.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown United Methodist Church began a process to offer summer meals for students though a subsidized program but could not get the required attendance, the church announced on Thursday.

“Sadly, we announce that the program will not happen this summer at Middletown Methodist,” said Pastor Voris Brumfield.

The Lake County Hunger Task Force introduced options for funding the program to representatives from the church this spring.

Lisa Rosen was chosen to coordinate and work with representatives from the state.

“We had hoped to get the program started this year. However, getting a minimum of 50 participants for all the meals was not guaranteed to cover all the expenses,” Rosen said.

“Serving 10 meals each week in addition to the four meals we currently serve would have been a large project for our small church,” Brumfield said. “Our church council gave approval in April for the grant application which required a 45-day lead time.”

Brumfield said it is unfortunate that the church could not make it happen to help children in our community but the church continues to offer free community dinners three times a week: Wednesday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. a free breakfast is served followed by the church's New Life Service at 11 a.m.

concluded. For more information about these and other Middletown Methodist Programs call 707-295-7174 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club (CLTTGC) has made its 59th donation to Mendocino National Forest in honor of Rena Clifton.

The certificate, which was presented to Clifton by Penny Pines Chairman Ann Blue, represented approximately one acre planted with 350 seedlings.

This plantation is located in the Grindstone Range District. The Spanish Fire in 2003 destroyed 5,000 acres.

Rena is a valued member of CLTTGC. Since becoming a member in 2009 she has served on the executive committee as treasurer as well as chairman as member of other committees.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc. CGCI encourages all affiliated garden clubs to support the Penny Pines Program.

Anyone interested in purchasing a Penny Pines Plantation in memory or honor of a special person, please contact Ann Blue at 707-263-5854 for additional information.

Ann Blue is Penny Pines chair for the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Green Party of Lake County will meet an hour earlier on Sunday, May 20.

The meeting will start at noon with social time for 15 minutes and then District 4 Supervisor Tony Farrington, who is seeking reelection, will have a question and answer session.

The local Green Party's delegate to the California Green Party General Assembly meeting in San Francisco will make a report.

The meetings are held at the Lagoons meeting room, 1800 S. Main St., Lakeport.

A light potluck, coffee and tea will be available.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-263-3391 for more information.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Animal Coalition of Lake County is presenting a spring benefit combining, food, live music, wine tasting, raffles and fun activities for your pooch.

The event is Saturday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 9710 Broadmoor Way, located just off Soda Bay Road, one block past Riviera Foods in the Clear Lake Riviera.

In addition to entertainment there will be free canine behavior clinics and the opportunity to take the Canine Good Citizens Test.

If you are looking for a new furry friend, cats and dogs needing an new home will be present and ready for adoption.

In addition to the fun activities, the event supports the coalition's spay/neuter program.

Attendees are encouraged but not required to bring donations of blankets and dog or cat food.

Generous sponsors are Lakeview Homes and Estates, Pawsitive Methods, Lujor Winery, Clearlake Veterinary Clinic, Blue Moon Cafe, Pet Country, Rainbow Ag and Groomingdales.

For more information contact Anita at 707-277-7778, or Wayne at 707-279-6000 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .