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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The annual spring fundraising dinner for the Lake County Land Trust is coming up on Monday, May 14, but it is not too late to reserve your spot at this fun event.

The dinner is held at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville and is an important fundraiser for the Lake County Land Trust.

The Land Trust is a local, nonprofit group that preserves open space and natural habitats in Lake County.

The annual “Saw Shop dinner,” is presented every year by Marie Beery, owner of the restaurant who donates the facility and meal as a contribution to the Land Trust.

Sponsor of the event this year is Dennis Darling, owner of Foods, Etc. in Clearlake, and wine is donated by numerous Lake County wineries.

To make your reservation, simply call the Saw Shop at 707-278-0129.

Payment is taken at the door. Tickets are $70 per person and the dinner starts at 6 p.m.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Thursday, May 10.

The group meets at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 14310 Memory lane in Clearlake from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The group facilitator is social worker Jenny Johnson.

Respite is provided by the centers at no charge.

The groups are sponsored by Redwood Caregiver Resource Center (1-800-834-1636) and the Social Day Programs in Lake County.

Call Jenny Johnson, 707-350-3030, or Caroline Denny, 707-263-9481, for information.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Elementary School seventh and eighth graders will host a rummage, raffle and bake sale this Saturday, May 12, at Foods, Etc. in Clearlake from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come find your treasure and enjoy a delicious treat. Several seedlings and interesting plant creations will be for sale.  

Also, great local gift certificates and items will be raffled off at 2 p.m. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each or six for $5.  

Funds raised from this sale will support the Lower Lake Elementary School seventh and eighth grade field trips and science program.  

If you want to purchase a raffle ticket or need additional information please contact Lisa Rogers at 707-994-5787, Extension 2638, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .