CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Time banks are part of a growing phenomenon, not just here in the United States, but all over the world.

They generally incorporate specialized software for members to post their service requests and offers, and to keep track of the time each member has invested in helping others.

This, however, is the least interesting part of the story.

Time banks allow their members to trade their time for the important services they need, in a democratic venue where each members time has the same value as all other members.

It can work like this: The talented self trained seamstress offers mending services to the community. A local electrician and a bookkeeper arrange with another time bank member to have their mending dropped off and picked up.

The seamstress then spends her banked mending hours to have her fence repaired, while the person doing the deliveries uses her time for a foot reflexology session.

While the exchanges themselves are valuable to the participants, other values are growing too.  

People begin to see themselves and their skills as valuable, they begin to rebuild the self confidence that our flagging economy has thwarted, and their personal networks and friendships grow – all through time banking.

You are invited to learn more at the Time Bank of Lake County's free orientation on Wednesday, April 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Redbud Library, 14785 Burns Valley Road, Clearlake.

Participants will learn more about time banking and how to sign up, meet current time bank members, have an opportunity to ask questions and get an introduction to the time bank software.

If you are unable to attend visit the group's Web site for more information, http://timebanklakeco.com/ .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, May 12, attorney Dennis A. Fordham, will present a free educational seminar, “Why a trust and not a will.”

The seminar will begin at 10 a.m. at the Lake County Resource Center, on the first floor at 55 First St. in Lakeport.

Refreshments will be offered.

An RSVP appreciated at 707-263-3235 or www.DennisFordhamLaw.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The annual Spring Dinner to benefit the Lake County Land Trust will be held on Monday, May 14, at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, 3825 Main St. in Kelseyville.

It is not too early to make your reservations for this fun event and Land Trust supporters are being urged to reserve their places as soon as possible.

Social hour will start at 6 p.m. and a four course dinner will be served with wine at 7 p.m.

All services, food, and wine are graciously donated by the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro with the proceeds going towards the Lake County Land Trust’s many projects, including the Rodman Preserve, Boggs Lake Preserve and the latest effort by the LCLT, the Big Valley Wetlands project.

Dennis Darling of Foods Etc. is a sponsor of the dinner and local Lake County wineries donate wine.

The public is cordially invited to this event. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Saw Shop at 707-278-0129. Payment is taken at the door, the evening of the event. Tickets are $70 per person.

For information, call Roberta Lyons at 707-994-2024 or the LCLT office at 707-262-0707.

The Lake County Land Trust is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting important land resources in Lake County.

The Land Trust stewards the Rodman Preserve on the north end of Clear Lake, spear-headed the movement to preserve the Black Forest on Mt. Konocti, owns Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown, and is working with the Nature Conservancy on management of the Boggs Lake Preserve; as well as facilitating preservation of lakeshore habitat in the Big Valley area of Clear Lake.

For more information go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org or friend the group on Facebook.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center will be hosting free Skype video calls on Monday, April 23. and Monday. April 30. from 9 a.m. to noon.

This is a wonderful opportunity to talk to anyone with a Skype account anywhere in the world.

You must sign up in advance, so drop by the Lakeport Senior Activity Center at 527 Konocti Ave. in Lakeport and reserve your time slot.

Remember, the recipient must have a Skype I.D.

Call 707-263-4218 for more information.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Children and their parents will find many free activities designed just for them at this year’s Heron Festival on Saturday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Redbud Park in the city of Clearlake.

“We want to encourage families to spend fun time together outdoors with nature, and the festival is a great time to do that,” said Joyce Anderson, education chair for Redbud Audubon Society.

Returning for the fifth year is the very popular “Raptor Speak” with live owls and birds of prey.

This show offers an opportunity to see raptor behavior up close. Learn about these lively non-releasable birds in a fun and informative talk and bird demonstration. This special presentation by Native Bird Connections is one of the activities designed especially for families with children.

More than 200 people in all attended “Raptor Speak” last year, which again will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Big Tent. Because of its popularity, the show will be repeated at 2 p.m.

The Children’s Activities Area near the Big Tent offers several nature-inspired educational activities for children including instruction on how to make small bird feeders by spreading peanut butter and seeds on mini-bagels, creating owl masks to wear, and taking home a window decal to discourage birds from flying into glass windows.

A children’s My Audubon Bird Journal will be available for kids to record the birds they see as they walk around the park. Those who bring back a completed journal will be awarded bird stickers for their booklets.

Another annual highlight is the colorful display of children’s artwork from several local public schools, displayed in the Children’s Activities area. The creative drawings feature herons and local birds.

Besides all these special children’s activities, the Heron Festival offers 90-minute pontoon boat tours into Anderson Marsh. Expert Audubon bird guides accompany each boat tour to point out the heron nests and explain heron behaviors. Since the boat tours are a sell-out each year, advance reservations are strongly advised.
 
All activities during the Heron Festival are free of charge, except for the pontoon boat tours, which are $20 per person.

This 18th annual Heron Festival is sponsored by Redbud Audubon Society.

Eighteen years ago, the chapter initiated this festival so the general public could learn about and witness, first-hand, Clear Lake’s amazing population of local birds and wildlife and to generate awareness for the need to conserve and protect the area’s natural resources and habitat.

To see the full schedule of activities, go to www.heronfestival.org , or call 707-263-8030. Entrance to Redbud Park is free.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Representatives of Star Chapter 442 will be on hand at the Hillside Honda Yamaha 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, April 28, at 460 S. Main Street in Lakeport.

The group will chat with Lake County motorcycle enthusiasts interested in learning about Star Touring & Riding Association.

All makes and models of motorcycles are welcome.

Come meet the group and learn more about them.