“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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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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The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in October 2009.

Fellows are assigned to the personal or committee staff of a senator and also participate in academic seminars with senators, senior staff, journalists, lobbyists and state government officials.

The fellowship program is jointly operated by the state Senate and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University.

Fellows are paid a stipend of $1,972 per month plus health, vision, and dental benefits. They earn 12 units of graduate credit from Sacramento State for the academic portion of the program.

"Being a fellow provides an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the legislative process," Wiggins said. "Whether your career goals are in the public or private sector, the Senate Fellows program provides valuable training."

Former Senate Fellows include current members of Congress and the California Legislature, judges, and numerous other elected officials and community leaders. Current Wiggins legislative aide Ana Rodriguez is a former fellow.

Wiggins said fellows experience the broad range of activities conducted in busy Senate offices.

Responsibilities include researching public policy issues, helping develop legislative proposals, analyzing and staffing legislation, assisting with constituent inquiries and casework, participating in meetings as the senator’s representative, writing press releases and speeches, and performing other delegated tasks.

A five-week orientation at the beginning of the program provides background on state government, the legislative process, and major policy issues.

Anyone who will be at least 20 years of age and a graduate of a four-year college or university by Sept. 1, 2009, is eligible to apply. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are encouraged to apply.

Applications may be requested by calling the Senate Fellows program office at 916-278-7693, or through Sen. Wiggins’ capitol or district offices: State Capitol Office (916-651-4002); Humboldt County District Office (707-445-6508); Lake/Mendocino Counties District Office (707-468-8914); Napa County District Office (707-224-1990); Solano County District Office (707-648-5312); Sonoma County District Office (707-576-2771).

Applications and brochures are also available on the Senate’s Web site (www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/sen/fellows/_home/) and the program Web site (www.csus.edu/calst/senate).

The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 25. Eighteen fellows will be selected in May after an initial screening of applications and a subsequent panel interview of finalists.

Wiggins represents Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties in the California Senate.

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