LAKEPORT, Calif. – Do you value a healthy, thriving and robust local economy? Have you wondered about how you can do more, perhaps by investing some of your money in local businesses? You are not alone.

Thrive Lake County is starting a LION: a local network of potential investors and emerging or established entrepreneurs working to create a more just and sustainable local economy.

They believe savings and investments need to be working in alignment with their values, and they feel the best way to make this happen is to enable local investing.

Today’s SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) rules prevent people from investing privately in a business opportunity unless they are already in relationship with the owner of the enterprise. I

In several cities, supporters of the local economy movement have found a way to help people meet SEC rules by bringing them into relationship via fun social and educational gatherings called LIONs – Local Investing Opportunity Networks.

At a LION gathering, local residents come together to socialize, get acquainted and to meet local entrepreneurs. Out of these relationship networks, new opportunities for local investing naturally arise.

For example, if you are interested in supporting our local food economy, you might find yourself talking to a local farmer who is partnering with a young entrepreneur to start a food processing business using the farmer’s crops.

Without an established credit rating, the young business owner might not qualify for a bank loan. But perhaps you could provide the loan and offer terms that give you a return on your investment without draining the emerging business of the profits they need to grow.

Our local food system is strengthened. Jobs are created. You have the satisfaction of knowing your money is working in harmony with your values.

You can learn more about LIONs by visiting the LION Investing Web site at  http://lioninvesting.com/ourstory/the-concept/ , by emailing questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by leaving a comment on our blog post their blog at http://www.thrivelakecounty.org/2/post/2012/05/thrive-lake-county-starts-network-to-enable-local-investing.html .

The community is invited to a get-together for the group on Monday, June 25, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.

They'll get acquainted with each other, learn more about how a LION works, and start the process of understanding how to evaluate risk and learn what to ask for from a prospective business investment partner.

There will be a $5 charge to cover the cost of refreshments, payable at the door. Please RSVP by adding a comment on our blog post.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Special Districts has implemented a project that includes line cleaning of the sewer collection system lines throughout Lake County.

These activities are part of the agency's Sanitary Sewer Management Plan in accordance with state and federal regulatory agencies.

This is a countywide project that will occur over several years.

Currently, the line cleaning crews will be working in the Clearlake and Lower Lake areas for the next two to three months.

This process involves a high pressure water system to clean the lines.

As water passes through the system pipes, residents may hear a gurgling sound in the sewer pipes of their residence.

On very rare occasions, when a home has minimal ventilation or lies at a lower elevation than the sewer lines, a vacuum effect may occur which can cause water to splash out of a toilet or sink.

If you experience this, please contact Special Districts at 707-263-0119.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Sunday, May 20, an annular solar eclipse will be viewable across several U.S. states, the Pacific Ocean, Japan and China.

On June Tuesday, 5, Venus will transit (pass in front of) the Sun.

Join the Taylor Observatory and Norton Planetarium from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 19, as Observatory Assistant Edward Giannelli prepares you to safely experience these wonderful events.

Lake County's Window to the Universe is held on the third Saturday of each month.

The evening's event includes a Science Topic presentation, a full dome theater experience and astronomical viewing. Public events are held regardless of weather.

Suggested donation is $3 per person.

For more information visit www.taylorobservatory.org or call 707-262-4121.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Bumps and Babies Fair – the county's first- ever fair all about pregnancy, birth and child care – will take place on Saturday, May 12.

The fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brick Hall in Lower Lake.

Attendance and participation is totally free. Also, the first 100 people in attendance get a goody bag of free stuff and information from our vendors and others who were unable to attend.

There will be speakers every 30 minutes from noon until 4 p.m., talking about everything from midwifery to hospital births, yoga and dental health, and photographing your baby.

The event offers a great way for moms to celebrate Mother's Day, and a great chance for partners to do something nice for the mothers in their life.

There also are chances to win larger prizes as well, just fill out a small "passport" questionnaire and get a chance to win midwifery services, a goody basket from Zoe Organics and more.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The video of a judicial candidates' forum held on Thursday, May 3, is now available online.

The forum can be found at www.velocityvideoonline.com/2012/05/09/lake-county-department-1-judge-candidates-debate/ .

The event – held in Lakeport – featured candidates for the Lake County Superior Court Department 1 bench including Judy Conard, Michael Friel, Susan Krone and Michael Lunas.

The primary is June 5.

The forum was cosponsored by the Lake County Bar Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lake County News and Velocity Video.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – “Hammers for Hope” is a newly formed nonprofit set on helping seniors and low-income families in need of minor home repairs but who lack the financial resources for the work.

On Friday, May 4 Hammers for Hope kicked off its next project in Middletown.

While delivering lunches for the Meals-On-Wheels program, Supervisor Jim Comstock met Margaret Bowlings, a longtime Middletown resident and senior citizen.  

Mrs. Bowlings mentioned that she cuts and hauls wood inside her home for her wood burning stove but could really use handrails to help her get up and down her front porch stairs.

Comstock brought this project to the attention of the Hammers for Hope’s board.

It turned out that Mrs. Bowlings’ porch was very badly dilapidated and needed to be replaced.

Instead of just handrails, Mrs. Bowlings’ now has a new porch with the much needed hand railings.   

The project was headed up by Mike Sand, Coyote Valley Construction and Calpine employees Barbara Ferguson, Dan Ferguson, Tom Stewart, Jill Gibbs and Danielle Matthews Seperas volunteered alongside Sand and his team to get the job done.