From left to right, Arbor Project Director Sharon Anderson, Habitat for Humanity Lake County President Richard Birk and Teresa Wold, Arbor career coach. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY – Habitat for Humanity of Lake County and the Arbor Education & Training group have teamed up to provide the Arbor clients an opportunity to obtain employment skills in all phases of construction.

The majority of Arbor Education & Training clients are receiving some public assistance from the county of Lake.

In this partnership, people are not only fulfilling their time required by the state and federal guidelines for receiving cash aid, gaining the necessary training to learn some valuable job skills, but through their work, they are making a difference in their community.

This is a great pairing of services to provide Habitat clients with quality housing.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people on public assistance to have a meaningful and dignified job while at the same time helping their community,” said President of Habitat for Humanity of Lake County Richard Birk.

In this time of high unemployment it appears that the number of people requesting public assistance will be increasing, so the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Arbor is a very important step in providing a way for people in our community to contribute to the county of Lake.

“The Arbor staff is working to assist all our clients maintain or acquire employment. This partnership adds a new level of awareness for the Lake County Community, by combining work experience and community support; this can help us all through these tough economic times,” said Sharon Anderson, Arbor project director.

Employers wishing to find out more information about supporting a work experience person at their site are encouraged to call Teresa Wold at 995-9012, Extension 410.

For those interested in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, please call their office at 994-1100. Habitat is a volunteer grassroots based organization and is always in need of people who want to help their community.

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Republican of the Year awards were presented by Lake County Republican Party Chair Randy Ridgel (left) to Penny Lunt and Greg Scott. Photo by Janeane Bogner.

The speaker was Holly Swanson, author of “Set Up and Sold Out: Find Out What Green Really Means.”

Swanson turned out to be an extremely convincing, electrifying speaker, who in her well-documented book takes the position that the Green Party, made up primarily of radicals and leftover Communists, has an agenda that has little to do with green. A rousing question and answer session followed.

“Republican of the Year Award” winners honored this year were Penny Lunt and Greg Scott for their extraordinary performance and service to our citizens and party. Their special awards were presented by party Chairman Randy Ridgel.

The club thanks everyone for attending. The event was a success and a good time was had by all.

From left to Right, Jackie Ridgel, Lake County Republican Party Chair Randy Ridgel, guest speaker Holly Swanson, Lake County Republican Women President Penny Lunt and CW Swanson. Photo by Janeane Bogner.

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The group will meet at 14773 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake at 9 a.m.

They will be reviewing the preliminary garden plan for the community garden at the Highlands Senior Service Center and discuss grant applications plus all the ways for community involvement.

For more information, e-mail David Goolsbee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 272-9230.

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The 10th annual benefit will be presented on Sat., Sept. 19. Winegrower Andy Beckstoffer is serving as this year’s event chairman.

March 1 is the deadline for applications to be received.

Application forms may be obtained by contacting Judy Luchsinger, chair of the beneficiaries committee, at 263-3280, fax 263-0863 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Lake County Wine Alliance may be contacted by phone, 866-279-WINE, or by mail to P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

Sixteen community nonprofit organizations and agencies received a total of $91,500 from the proceeds of the 2008 wine auction.

The Wine Alliance has contributed over $713,000 in proceeds to Lake County groups since the inception of the annual event in 2000.

Local wineries, restaurants and other businesses are generous supporters through their donations to the live and silent auctions and to the food and beverages served at the gala affair. Other Lake County and regional businesses provide support through sponsorships.

The charter of the Wine Alliance directs its efforts to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community, while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region.

The Wine Alliance is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization of Lake County wineries, wine grape growers, and business and community supporters that annually presents the wine auction as a fundraising charity benefit.

Members of the Wine Alliance board are Margaret Walker-Stimmel, president; Marie Beery, vice president; Pamela Shine-Duncan, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Jim Fetzer, Judy Luchsinger, Wilda Shock, and Janet Thompson, directors.

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Agenda items include discussion of proposed bylaws and officer and committee positions. All are welcome to attend.

Door prizes at the March 4 meeting are four tickets to “Women Taking the Lead to Save the Planet,” the 26th Celebration of Women's History Month, Sunday, March 8, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday Afternoon Club, 107 S. Oak Street, Ukiah.

The third and last Lake County Caucus organizational meeting is Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Main Street Grill, Clearlake.

The NWPC is the only national grassroots organization dedicated to increasing the number of women officials at all levels of government. NWPC was founded in 1971 as the political arm of the women’s movements, working to recruit, and train and support women for elected and appointed office, regardless of party affiliation.

The Caucus reaches across party lines to maximize women’s political energy and make the system work for women. It is committed to serving all women who support bottom-line issues of reproductive freedom, improved child care/dependent care, and the Equal Rights Amendment.

For more information, please contact Susanne La Faver at 987-1146 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Categories which are currently without nominations are Youth Advocate/Professional, Arts Award Professional and Environmental.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 27, and the nomination form can be found at www.lakeportchamber.com.

Nominations can also be submitted in writing to P.O. Box 295, Lakeport, 95453 or faxed to 263-5104.

The Stars Selection Committee will meet on March 12 to make their decisions on each category, after they have had approximately one week to review all the nominations.

Details and completeness are most important for all nominations, as they provide the selection committee with the materials upon which to cast their votes.

The chamber staff are contacting those nominators who have not provided enough information for their nominees. They request that nominators provide additional names/contacts for their nominations, if they feel the information they have provided falls short on details, said Melissa Fulton, chamber chief executive officer.

The Lake County community has once again stepped up to sponsor this event, with almost 30 businesses sponsoring the category awards, wine and dinner, said Fulton.

They've revamped the program this year with the assistance of Konocti Harbor to make it more affordable for everyone.

Dinner tickets for this years' Stars Awards are $50 per person and, as always, you may choose your table when you purchase your ticket.

The evening's festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the reception hour, dinner is served at 5:30 and the Awards program will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Local entertainers are being featured during the Stars dinner hour with David Neft providing music during the reception, dinner and awards ceremony.

“David has been with us every year and his performances always add so much to the evening,” said Chamber President Jan Parkinson.

A special treat for an “After Stars” celebration will be the Lake County Diamonds playing in the lounge at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa. Their show will begin at the close of the Stars program, approximately 8:30 p.m.

Questions on Stars of Lake County can be addressed to 263-5092 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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