Kid’s Plate staff has announced that it is allocating 55 car seats to Lake County and First 5 Lake is committed to matching that number. Thus 110 children’s car seats will be available to low- or moderate-income families until the inventory runs out.

First 5 Lake through its partner, AmeriCorps, has established a safety car seat inspection station network throughout Lake County. Each station has trained, experienced Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

Families can bring their auto, car seat and child to an inspection station to receive instructions on how to properly fit a child’s safety seat in the car and their child in the seat.

While this may sound easy to do, in fact most seats are installed incorrectly, thus increasing the chance of injury to the child in case of an accident.

Incorrect installations occur because of the multiple types of car seats and models of cars on the market. “A one size fits all” approach simply does not work.

There is no fee for the inspection and instruction. A new car seat will be provided, if required, with the understanding that the supply is limited.

Inspection stations can be found at Middletown Fire Station on Highway 175, 987-3089, Extension 1; Lake County Fire Protection District's Clearlake Fire Station on Olympic Drive, 994-2170; California Highway Patrol, Kelseyville, 279-0103; and Northshore Fire Protection District's Upper Lake Fire Station on Main Street, 275-2446.

Kids’ Plate of California was established by the California legislature in 1992. It receives its funds from the sale of Kids’ Plates motor vehicle license plates. The funds collected through the Department of Motor Vehicles are in turn made available to local communities to help prevent childhood injuries, and child abuse while at the same time supporting child care licensing.

More than 600 grants have been awarded to local communities to date. Every automobile owner can support this program by purchasing a Kids’ Plate. For more information please visit the Kids’ Plate Web site at www.kidsplates.org.

First 5 Lake is dedicated to Early Healthy Childhood Development. Established in 2001, First 5 Lake funds a series of programs that offer services to improve child development, strengthen families and provide better health care. More information on First 5 programs can be found at www.first5lake.org.

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The group will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Lucerne Community Church, 5870 E. Highway 20.

Coffee and visiting begins at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m.

Jim Xerogeanes of Mendocino College Agriculture Department will speak to the group.

Visitors are welcome.

Membership dues to join the club are $23 per person.

The North Lake Garden Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Lucerne Community Church.

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The fire station is located at 21095 Highway 175, Middletown.

Donors will receive an event t-shirt, save a life and help Middletown to potentially win the Bucket Trophy.

The Bucket Brigade is a friendly winter competition between local fire departments in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties that takes place November through January.

The event has been a great success thus far with over 800 donors participating and another 300 projected.

This is the largest Bucket Brigade so far and the community is not done yet. Last year they had approximately 750 donors and this season they are on track for more than 1,000 donors participating.

For more information, please contact Andrea Casson at 545-1222, Extension 165.

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“With members located in Hidden Valley Lake, Middletown, Cobb, Anderson Springs, Clearlake Oaks and Lower Lake, our club decided that ‘Lake County Milers’ better represents our current demographics,” said Milers President Jeanine Burnett.

“We also believe our new name reflects our plans to expand in Lake County, including a satellite running group for the Kelseyville/Lakeport area,” Burnett added.

The name change, approved by nearly 4-to-1 among members present at a Jan. 3 meeting, is effective immediately. It will also change the club’s Web site to www.lakecountymilers.com.

The Lake County Milers will continue to sponsor the club’s annual Spring Has Sprung run (which drew about 130 participants last year for the challenging event) as well as its one-of-a-kind Crazy Creek 5K beer-and-bratwurst Run in the fall. Additionally, the club hosts an annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.

Founded in 2003, the Lake County Milers promotes fitness and health in the Lake County region. The Milers invite all runners and walkers throughout Lake County to join.

Located in Hidden Valley Lake (four miles north of Middletown on Highway 29), the Milers offer a social running and walking club, running clinics for beginners, information on upcoming race events, and training opportunities with fellow club members of varying speed and distance levels.

Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, the Milers have something for everyone.

For more details, see the group’s Web site: www.lakecountymilers.com.

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The event takes place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The talk will be followed by a fun interactive planetarium presentation by the “Olde Stargeezer,” observatory coordinator Vic Stryker.

If it is clear there will be viewing through the observatory's 16-inch research grade telescope.

A $3 donation is requested. There also will be a chance to purchase $1 raffle tickets to win a star dial.

The Taylor Observatory has been in continuous operation for more than 25 years. In addition to its telescope, it features a 36-seat classroom and a planetarium with a 30-foot dome for the Digitarium star projector system. Public events are held each month.

The observatory is located at 5725 Oak Hill Lane, Kelseyville.

Visit the observatory online at www.taylorobservatory.org.

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The event will begin at 6 p.m.

During the celebration, President Obama’s Inaugural address, as well as the parade and parties coverage, will be shown on a large screen.

Appetizers, wine and and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.

Tickets are $20 each.

The Saw Shop will provide the no-host bar.

There is room for 100 guests, so please order your tickets early as this will be a sold-out event.

Call 263-4529 to reserve tickets or purchase tickets at Watershed Books, 305 N. Main St., Lakeport.

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 263-4529 for further information.

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