An annual event, the dinner took place on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Keys Club in Clearlake Oaks.

“While volunteers have always played a key role in maintaining our waterways and equipment, this year’s volunteer effort has been truly extraordinary,” said Clearlake Keys Board President Jack Wadhams.

“This year, our volunteers handled major mechanical issues with the harvester, spray boats and vehicles, and they tackled 2009’s historic algae infestation with determination and creativity,” Wadhams said. “We owe them a lot.”

Without the intense volunteer effort put forth this year, the neighborhood association would have faced outside vendor costs exceeding $200,000, he said.

“The volunteer participation in the Keys is an example of how the positive energy of ordinary people can dramatically improve the quality of life in a community,” said District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing, who was present at the volunteer dinner.

Honored during the dinner were more than 70 volunteers, who provided more than 6,000 hours of their time throughout the year.

Workers of all ages and backgrounds installed conveyors and decks, repaired motors and hydraulic lines, and did innumerable other important tasks to maintain the association’s fleet of vehicles and watercraft.

Managing the aquatic nightmare of Lyngbya algae was the most urgent priority this year. Volunteer teams with no experience with this strain of algae quickly educated themselves and worked tirelessly to try to break up and move the mats.

Volunteers and POA board members worked closely with the Lake County Water Resources Division as well as with outside contractors to find solutions to the problem.

Keys volunteers joined with others throughout Lake County to develop innovative ways to deal with the algae.

“We learned a lot this year, and we learned it in a hurry,” said Dennis Locke, a Keys volunteer who devoted many weeks of his time to the algae problem. “I am confident that if we’re hit with this type of algae bloom in the future, the experience we’ve gained will make it much easier to address it.”

“I am proud of how well our community rose to the occasion this year,” says POA Treasurer Dennis Krentz. “Even though the costs of dealing with the algae emergency were substantial, the thousands of hours put in by our volunteers meant that we were able to deal with this situation without implementing a special assessment. This community truly has a ‘can-do’ attitude. We’re delighted to be able to honor our volunteers with this special dinner.”

The event also was an opportunity to recognize others who contributed to the Keys’ well being during 2009.

A special award of appreciation was presented to Jim Jonas of Jonas Oil, for the generous donation of thousands of dollars’ worth of fuel for Keys vehicles and watercrafts.

The POA also gratefully acknowledged Aquatic Environments for donating services and equipment, and BioSafe Systems for providing the algaecide used for an algae control test.

During the dinner, volunteers received awards that were provided to the POA at no cost by local merchants and organizations.

“We encourage everyone to patronize these generous Lake County businesses,” said Krentz.

Volunteer dinner award donors include Big Oak Beacon, Camille Gouldberg Massage, Classic Cut-Ups, Firehouse Pizza, Happy Garden Restaurant, Karl’s Korner, Kathy’s Head Over Heels, Lake County Winery Association and the Red and White Market.

The Clearlake Keys Property Owners Association (POA) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the quality of life In the Clearlake Keys. It is an all volunteer organization. The POA serves the property owners of the community of Clearlake Oaks, California, who reside in an area known as “The Keys.”

A subdivision built during the 1960s and 1970s, the Keys is unique for having canals behind the homes that provide access to Clear Lake, California’s largest natural lake.

To learn more about the Keys POA, visit their website at www.keyspoa.net .

A maximum of $20,000 was available for this round of funding with a cap of $5,000 per grant award.

The county received approximately $35,000 in requests for $20,000 in funding; therefore not all of the applications could be fully funded.

The following organizations were awarded recreational mini grant funding based on their number of participants served and programs provided: Clear Lake Scullers, Girl Scouts in Lake County, Lake County Channel Cats, Wiloth Equine Therapy and Youth Services of Lake County.

Clymire thanked all the organizations that help provide wonderful recreational opportunities for Lake County residents.

The recreation mini grants are made available in an effort to show support for county recreation programs during a time when the county cannot afford to fund and operate a countywide recreation division.

A second round of funding is available of $10,000 with a $5,000 maximum award. Priority will be given to applicants that have not received prior funding.

Applications are being accepted until the end of January 2010 and awards will be made in February 2010.

Applications are available through the Public Services Department at 333 Second St., Lakeport, CA 95453.

If you have questions, please contact the Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.

Last year there were so many beautifully decorated homes it was really tough to pick the winners.

This year they are in search of those houses that go all out and decorate for the holidays. We're not talking just a few lights – we're talking the kind of holiday lighting "Tim the Toolman Taylor" would be proud of.

If you think your home is up to the challenge, contact the chamber at 707-994-3600 to enter their holiday decoration contest for homeowners. There is no fee to enter.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three homes selected by the judges.

The deadline is Dec. 15.

Judges will visit the homes in the contest, and first-, second- and third-place winners will be announced in the local media.

The program sign up started at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, for baskets for Northshore community members in need, residing from Blue Lakes to Lucerne.

The group had 20 families waiting in line at 8:30 am, just in Nice. By the end of the sign up, we had more than 50 people sign up at Nice and Upper Lake fire houses.

A few applicants will be dropped for accuracy of information but most will receive a basket of food plus toys and clothing if they have children.

When Sharon from Pet Acres, a longtime organizer of the holiday basket program, shared that we would not have the annual taco feed fundraiser, anxiety set in for just a moment. Then I remembered, the community support that pours out to us so we can make it happen for those in need every season.

Upper Lake school children work like little Santa helpers gathering canned goods for us. It is just wonderful how many items show up, just from the students. I knew that Westamerica Bank would come through with their generous yearly donation and house the gift wish tree in the lobby. Plus Blue Lakes Fire Auxiliary would donate, too.

Sentry Market always comes through every year with assorted breads. As always, the fresh apples from Seely Farms brighten up our recipients' day.

All these things would cover the pantry items needed – children's gifts and clothing plus some of the fresh produce for the whole package. The problem would be the turkeys and hams that are covered by the dinner's profit.

I immediately contacted Order of Sons Of Italy Nice and community members to help out. So far, the club has gathered seven boxes of food items, a $50 donation plus eight turkeys and a ham but we need more, 35 right now if we fill all the applicants needs as the money donated will cover six more turkeys.

If you have a turkey or ham that you would like to donate, please call Pet Acres at 707-275-2729 or Clarke's Collectibles in Nice at 707-274-9175.

You can also make checks out to Upper Lake Fire Auxiliary with food basket in the memo if you don't have time to pick one up. Just call and leave a message.

We are also accepting new toys or clothing for children age one month to 17 years or you can go to Westamerica bank in Upper Lake to pick up a gift wish tag from the tree.

Thank you so much to all that are helping their community members in need.

“Miss Barbara,” the story lady, will read some Frosty stories to the children. She promises some holiday surprises and each child will make a snowman to take home.

Miss Barbara invites the children to come join in the festivities.

The library will conduct a canned food drive during the story hour.

Everyone is invited to bring nonperishable food items for the food drive.

Lakeport Library, located at 1425 N. High St., is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m., telephone 707-263-8817.

LAKEPORT – You won't want to miss the seventh-annual Dickens’ Christmas Market – an event that transforms downtown Lakeport into an old English village for a day full of festivities.

The festivities take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Main Street in downtown Lakeport. The event is co-sponsored by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and the Lakeport Main Street Association.

Downtown merchants and market vendors will be offering quality items for your holiday gift purchases.

Traveling to downtown Lakeport during Dickens’ Market is like traveling back through the centuries. Costume-clad characters from the 1800s stroll Main Street and welcome guests to browse the shops and enjoy the food and vendor booths.

Event-goers are encouraged to arrive dressed for the occasion in period costumes and enter the costume contest for a chance at cash prizes.

In order to get the real Dickens' feeling, please check out C&G Enterprises on Third Street in Lakeport. They have a full line of costumes and accessories for rent, they will be open on Saturday for your last minute Dickens' costumes and accessories.

Restaurants in downtown Lakeport offer delicious food for sale for the occasion, and a variety of tasty treats also are available at the King’s Food Court on Third and Main streets. Vendor booths along Main Street include arts and crafts, toys, and plentiful gift ideas for the holidays.

Some Main Street merchants host their own booths featuring seasonal products and specialty holiday merchandise. Treasure Hunt is sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association.

Eleven Roses Ranch will offer free sleigh rides throughout the day.

The treasure hunt takes place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m., with prizes for both adults and children.

The costume contest will take place all day long, with a winner selected to be selected at 2:30 p.m. A cash prize will be awarded.

Entertainment takes place from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the Piedmont Lumber Stage.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital will host Santa's Workshop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Savings Bank of Mendocino's lighted Dickens' parade will take place at 6 p.m., to be followed by the Hospice tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.