LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Main Street Association is planning to start 2011 with a new project – introducing a program model meant to help build a more successful community.

The association is organizing a series of “Main Street rallies,” set to start in January, to inform area residents of the initiative to revitalize downtown Lakeport based on a national model called The Main Street Program.

The public meetings will take place in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St., at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, and at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22.

Both meetings – each expected to take less than an hour – will explain the concept and offer opportunities for volunteers, said association Executive Director Carol Hays.

Those interested in building a better Lakeport and who have ideas about how that can be done are encouraged to attend, Hays said.

Hays said the Main Street Program was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation more than 25 years ago.

The program – now administered in California by the California Main Street Alliance – unites the forces of local economic redevelopment and historic preservation to build and enhance the quality of life in America's small towns, she said.

Hays said she's seen the program work in other towns and she's enthusiastic about the potential for Lakeport.

“A busy, fun, beautiful downtown improves the quality of life for all of us whether you’re from north, south, east or west Lake County,” she said.

The model draws on pride in community, Hays explained.

Originally, when created by the federal government, the program had funding. Hays said that is no longer the case.

However, it does offer training, which local participants will get as they follow the process, she explained.

Hays said there will be grassroots committees to focus on four key areas: promotion, design – including street and public art, lamp posts and street furniture – economic restructuring and organizational structure.

The association will be seeking volunteers to help with all of those areas, she said.

Volunteers don't necessarily need to live within the Lakeport city limits or be merchants; Hays said the goal is to draw on people from all walks of life and many different kinds of interests.

“This is something of interest to the entire county,” Hays said.

Hays said each of the several committees is expected to have between five and seven volunteers.

For more information contact Hays at 707-263-8843 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .