SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The South Lake Fire Safe Council has kept busy this year working to protect the community from fire.

The group is offering its thanks to the community for supporting memberships this year. Such memberships help make it possible to protect the community.

Some examples of the the council's activities this year include educational programs and chipping more than 100 sites.

The council currently is working to update its Web site and is making plans for next year.

The South Lake Fire Safe Council meets on the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Middletown Fire Station on Highway 175. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Visit the council online at www.southlakefiresafecouncil.org, where you'll find membership applications and chipping applications.

Habitat for Humanity has in the past and will continue to build new homes, but to have a greater impact on the community’s living conditions; the much needed “A Brush of Kindness” program will help current low-income homeowners get the necessary repairs for their homes.

The focus will be on low-income households.

The number of homes in Lake County that need some repair is high, in the city of Clearlake it is estimated that 74 percent of the homes in the city need repair or replacement.

“With all the calls over the years requesting home repairs, we are pleased to be able to offer this program,” said Richard Birk, president of Habitat for Humanity Lake County. “It will be a volunteer-based program, so the community must get involved, from individuals, businesses, church congregations, civic groups, contractors and more.”

Birk added, “We will learn from the first homes selected on cost issues, organizing volunteers, donors and businesses.”

For those interested in the details and requirements of the program, check out Habitat for Humanity Lake County's Web site at www.lakehabitat.org or call 707 994-1100 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

The study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that two out of five drivers (41 percent) admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel, while 10 percent admit to having fallen asleep in just the past year.

More than a quarter of those surveyed admitted that, in the previous month, they drove despite being so tired that they had difficulty keeping their eyes open.

“There’s a huge disconnect between what people know to be safe and what they are actually doing,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “One out of every four drivers, or 27 percent of those surveyed, say they drove despite being so tired they had difficulty keeping their eyes open, but 85 percent said that behavior is unacceptable.”

Sleepiness decreases awareness, slows reaction time and impairs judgment just like drugs or alcohol. A new analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash data finds that nearly 17 percent of fatal crashes, 13 percent of serious injury crashes and seven percent of crashes where a vehicle is towed involve a driver who is drowsy.

Younger drivers age 16-24 were nearly twice as likely to be involved in a drowsy driving crash as drivers age 40-59.

AAA is sharing the results of their recent study as part of the National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, so that drivers will know the contribution drowsy driving has to motor vehicle crashes and take steps to remain alert behind the wheel.

To remain alert and avoid drowsiness, AAA suggests:

• Getting plenty of sleep (at least six hours) the night before a long trip;

• Scheduling a break every two hours or 100 miles;

• Traveling at times you are normally awake, and staying overnight when possible;

• Stopping if you become sleepy;

• Drinking a caffeinated beverage;

Symptoms of sleepiness include but are not limited to:

• Having trouble keeping your eyes open and focused;

• The inability to keep your head up;

• Daydreaming or having wandering, disconnected thoughts;

• Drifting from your lane or off the road, or tailgating;

More information about driving safely is available at www.aaa.com/saferdriving.

Pictured are Don Smith, president of the North Lake Garden Club; Marilyn Wafford, Penny Pines chair; and Henry F. Bethel, past president, (2008-09, 2009-10) North Lake Garden Club. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – At the recent holiday potluck, hosted by Sharon Thorne and Don Smith on Dec. 18, the North Lake Garden Club presented a Penny Pines certificate to Henry Bethel, past president, for his exemplary service to his club and community.

The Penny Pines conservation program was established to aid in the reforestation program, particularly in burned over areas.

By purchasing a $68 Penny Pines Plantation, a certificate is awarded. The money is sent to Mendocino National Forest, USDA Forest Service.

The Penny Pines donation will aid in planting trees in the Grindstone Ranger District and be utilized to reforest the area that burned in the Spanish Fire, about 5,000 acres burned in 2003.

A letter of thanks was sent to North Lake Garden Club from Forest Supervisor Thomas A Contreras, commending the club for their ninth donation in honor of Bethel.

Those members of the public wishing to support this effort for reforestation can donate monies to North Lake Garden Club, mailing it to North Lake Garden Club, attention Sharon Thorne, Treasurer, P.O. Box 517, Nice, CA 95464.

Margo Frank will be Val Muchowski’s guest on Women’s Voices on KZYX 90.5 FM and KZYZ 91.5 FM on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at 7 p.m.

Margo Frank is a licensed clinical social worker with almost 20 years of experience working with older adults and their families. This experience has helped her understand the challenges of growing old in a culture that worships youth.

Many folks find themselves caring for elderly parents in the last years of their lives. How can people honor their parents’ needs as well as their own and their partner’s needs?

As we age, what does it mean to be an elder. It is important to mark the time when we cross that threshold into our later years, to review the lives we have lived and to honor the precious years that remain.

Listen to Margo Frank and Val Muchowski on Jan. 3, 2011.

In January, The Coach Potato Giveaway begins where customers have the chance to win a 60-inch flat screen high definition TV and leather sofa packages along with other cash and prizes.

It begins on Jan. 3 and continues through Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 6.

Also beginning in January the Love Bug Giveaway begins. Twin Pine will be giving away a VW Beetle to a lucky customer on Feb. 13.

On Wednesdays in February the Sweetheart Getaway Giveaway takes place. Twin Pine casino guests are eligible to win vacation packages, hotel stays, his and her massages and more.

February also features the Show Me the Lincoln’s promotion on Presidents Day, Feb. 21. There will be hot seat drawings for cash and free play as well as $5 food and drink specials.

The Keep the Points Promotions continue throughout January and February. Casino customers can earn complimentary meals for points earned daily Monday through Friday and can also receive free gift giveaways each month.

For both promotions, Harvest Club members simply earn the rewards based on the points they accumulate and receive the premiums with no points deducted from their accounts.

The featured wineries of the month are Beringer Vineyards in January and Domain Chandon in February. Wine tastings will take place on Jan. 21 and Feb. 18.

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel also will be hosting a Big Game Party on Feb. 6 with food and drink specials in the lounge and a scratch off promotion for all customers with cash prizes awarded each quarter and a chance to win $25,000.

The Manzanita Restaurant has a special menu in store for Valentines Day, Feb. 14, and the casino will continue its entertainment schedule in the Grapevine Lounge with DJs on Fridays, live bands on Saturdays and comedy nights every other Thursdays.

For more information visit www.twinpine.com or call 800-564-4872.

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel is located at 22223 Highway 29 at Rancheria Road, Middletown.