Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 6 p.m.

Dinner includes pasta, salad, bread, crab, dessert and coffee. The cost is still only $40 per person and includes door prize chances.

All proceeds go to local and international humanitarian projects and programs.

More than 70 great silent and live auction items have been donated so far, including wine and wine tastings, airplane rides, original art and jewelry, live music, overnight accommodations and shows, a time-share in Mexico, ski lift passes and much more.

Auction donations will be received until Jan. 22nd. Sponsorships are also available at $100 or more.

This is a sellout event every year, and pre-paid reservations are available until Jan. 15.

If you are in a group and would like to reserve seats together, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your ticket numbers, names and phone numbers, plus the name of the group.

Tickets are available from any Middletown Rotarian, or can be picked up at Tri-Counties Bank, Westamerica Bank or Neft and Neft Realtors in Middletown. Or, you may make checks payable to RC of Middletown and mail to P.O. Box 981, Middletown CA 95461. Give us the names of the people in your group so we can seat you together.

For more information, tickets, auction donations or sponsorships, call Helen Whitney at 928-9812.

Rotary is a worldwide all-volunteer service organization. “Service Above Self” is its motto.

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A new federal safety regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags.

Common consumer electronics such as travel cameras, cell phones and most laptop computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage. However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries, such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage.

"Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires," said Krista Edwards, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite in certain conditions.

Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight.

"This rule protects the passenger," said Lynne Osmus, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assistant administrator for security and hazardous materials. "It's one more step for safety. It's the right thing to do and the right time to do it."

In addition to the new rule, PHMSA is working with the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the battery and airline industries, airline employee organizations, testing laboratories, and the emergency response communities to increase public awareness about battery-related risks and developments.

These useful safety tips are highlighted at the public Web site, http://safetravel.dot.gov.

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A potluck supper will be open to members and guests, who are always welcome.

Following the potluck will be the installation of 2008 officers.

You do not have to be Scandinavian but interested in learning the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries to join the Sons of Norway, a fraternal benefit society offering maximum benefits to its members.

The meetings are held in the Community Center of Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. Children are welcome and will meet Youth Director Souleah Scarbrough.

Call the membership secretary for information at 998-3583.

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The new officers are: Craig Bach, president and treasurer; Ed Moore, vice president; James and Arthur Wilkie, co-secretaries.

The group advocates for fair water rates for Lucerne customers.

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The first organizing meeting is Saturday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. at Wild About Books, 14290 Olympic Drive, Suite A, in Clearlake.

For more information contact go to http://clearlakecommunityco-operative.wikispaces.com, call JoAnn Saccato at 707-350-1719 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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This family will soon be moving into a new home on 39th Avenue in Clearlake. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity, Lake County.

CLEARLAKE – Habitat for Humanity would like to invite the public to come see for themselves and celebrate the completion of the eighth Habitat for Humanity home in Lake County.

The beautiful, four-bedroom home incorporates some of the latest “green building” techniques and energy efficiencies and is the first Habitat home in Lake County completed with solar panels.

The open house and dedication will be Saturday, Jan. 12, 12 p.m., at 15921 39th Ave, Clearlake, (cross street of Phillips Ave).

Come and join the festivities and meet the homeowners, and volunteers who worked so hard to build this home. Refreshments will be served and the event will continue on rain or shine.

This would be the perfect opportunity to see for yourself how our community of volunteers, donors and business supporters came together to help eliminate substandard housing for a Lake County family.

Also, for families who are considering applying for a Habitat home this would be a great time to view a completed Habitat home.

For those who cannot attend the Saturday celebration, we will have the home open for showing on Friday, Jan. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information, or to RSVP for Friday’s showing, please call 994-1100.

Habitat for Humanity, Lake County, currently has two other homes under construction which are scheduled for completion very soon, with plans to build four additional homes in 2008.

All homes are sold at a zero interest mortgage, enabling many more people in Lake County to own a home of their own.

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