Make this St. Patrick’s Day more about St. Paddy and less about the paddy wagon. If you’ve been drinking on St. Patrick’s Day, AAA Northern California will take you and your car home for free.

AAA’s Tipsy Tow program is open to everyone. You do not need to be a AAA member to take advantage of this service to the community.

AAA will offer the service to drinking drivers from 6 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 18, in Northern California, Nevada and Utah.

Drivers, potential passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers can call 800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow home of up to ten miles.

Just tell the AAA operator, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” and a truck will be on its way.        

The service will provide a one-way ride for the driver and vehicle to the driver’s home.

If there are additional passengers who need a ride, they will be taken to the driver’s home as long as there is sufficient room for them to be transported safely in the tow truck. You cannot make a reservation.  

According to 2008 statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk-driving crashes account for about 36 percent of highway deaths of young people age 16 to 24. As little as one drink can impair vision, steering, braking, judgment, and reaction time.

AAA estimates that a first time DUI conviction in California can cost up to $12,000 in fines, penalties, restitution, legal fees, and added insurance expenses. You can’t put a price tag on a crash that causes an injury or death.

“Many people enjoy getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, which tends to involve plenty of celebrating,” said Cynthia Harris, spokesperson for AAA Northern California. “If you’ve been drinking alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel. Give AAA a call and we’ll make sure you get home safely.”

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The regular monthly meeting of the Green Party of Lake County will be held on Sunday, March 18.

The meeting will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lagoons Mobile Home Park Association building, 1800 S. Main, Lakeport.

There will be a light potluck.

Jackie Armstrong from the local Move to Amend effort will discuss the petition that the local
movement is circulating to take away corporate personhood and restore free speech to real people.

Betsy Cawn, local environmentalist, will talk about the local public radio station, KPFZ 88.1 FM, and how to support it.

Joan Moss, candidate for District 5 supervisor, will update her campaign news.

Meetings are free and open to the public.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone Joanne Bateni at 707-263-3391.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Konocti Senior Support Inc. is offering monthly public educational opportunities throughout 2012 about issues facing seniors.  

The training on Tuesday, March 27, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., is titled “Crones Don’t Whine: Archetypes of Elder Women,” which should lead to a lively discussion.

Join them for this enlightening topic.

The sessions will be facilitated by Konocti Senior Support Peer Counseling Program Director, Kim Baughan-Young, MFT.  

Konocti Senior Support Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering free services to seniors through the Peer Counseling Program and the Friendly Visitor Program.

All services are provided by trained volunteers and new trainings will be held for volunteers this spring.

Trainings take place the fourth Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 14310 Memory Lane, in Clearlake.

To RSVP and get more information about these informative sessions, to make referrals for our services or get more information contact Judy Morgan at 707-995-1417.

LUCERNE, Calif. – Lucerne FLOW will is holding its monthly meeting on Saturday, March 17.

The meeting will take place at the Lucerne Community Clinic, located at 6300 Highway 20 on the corner of 14th Avenue in Lucerne.

Pregathering starts at 10:30 a.m., with the meeting at 11 a.m.

Items to be discussed include a current California Public Utilities Commission proceeding that could affect local water rates, and an overview and summary of local water issues presented by the board president.

The public is welcome to attend and participate.

Lucerne FLOW meets on the third Saturday of each month.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Senior Activity Center is participating in the Relay for Life Team “Precious Moments” to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.  

On Sunday, March 18, a dance, potluck and bake sale will be at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with proceeds going to the Precious Moments team.  

The center is located at 527 Konocti Ave. Admission is $10.

On Monday, March 19, the Meals on Wheels Thrift Store will reduce the price on its entire inventory to 50 percent off and the day's profits will be given the Precious Moments team.

There also will be a bake sale during the storewide sale.

The thrift store is located at 120 N. Main St. in downtown Lakeport and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The store can be contacted by calling 707-263-6174.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Presbyterian Women of Kelseyville's Presbyterian Church will host its rummage sale at the church on Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31.

New hours on Friday will be from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.  

Hot dogs, chili and popcorn will be for sale for both lunch and dinner on Friday, and for lunch on Saturday.

The bag sale, always a favorite, will be held all day Saturday from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.  

Granny's Attic items are not included in the bag sale.

To donate items for the sale or for more information, call Sandy Mueller at 707-279-4415.