LAKE COUNTY, Calif. –  Did you know that only 5 percent of seniors over 65 are in residential facilities?  

That means that the balance of seniors are still living on their own, in their own homes.

Many of these seniors have no family or family living nearby, belong to no organizations or groups and have few friends because they lack transportation or are unable to get out because of health issues.

There are many reasons why seniors find themselves isolated and alone.

The Friendly Visitor Program of Konocti Senior Support, Inc. is accepting applications for the spring Friendly Visitor Volunteer Training.

This training will provide volunteers with the opportunity to use their life experiences and provide companionship to homebound seniors.

Friendly Visitors meet with seniors they are matched with once a week for at least an hour to chat, play cards or just listen.

Friendly Visitor services are provided to seniors free of charge by the volunteers throughout Lake County.

Volunteer training consists of two days of training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch provided.

The training covers topics through instruction, discussion and participation in such areas as communication skills, stress reduction, addressing issues of depression and grief and setting healthy boundaries.

Training also provides participants with useful information which can be used in their own lives.

Konocti Senior Support Friendly Visitor training will be provided by Program Director Judy Morgan, and offered in Clearlake on Thursday, May 3, and Thursday, May 10, and in Lakeport on Wednesday, May 9, and Wednesday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A stipend will be provided to cover mileage to and from training.

Help the Friendly Visitors help seniors throughout Lake County; call 707-995-1417 now for your application and more information and details.

LUCERNE, Calif. – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada is the guest speaker at the meeting of the Lake County Democratic Club on Saturday, April 14

The meeting will take place in the Rose Room at the Alpine Senior Center, located at 3985 Country Club Drive, at the corner of 10th and Country Club Drive, in Lucerne.

The meeting will begin at noon.

Yamada is the Democratic candidate for the newly drawn Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake County.

For more information about her campaign visit her Web site, http://www.marikoyamada.net/ .

All meetings are open to the general public and everyone is invited to attend. Membership in the club is open to all registered Democrats.

Attendees are invited to come early and support the senior center by enjoying their $6 full breakfast.

Contact the Lake County Democratic Club by phone 707-987-9021 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

As part of their ongoing effort to strengthen the disaster resilience of California residents, the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and American Red Cross announce the development of preparedness starter kits for the access and functional needs community.

These kits are the latest product of the ongoing partnership between Cal EMA and Red Cross to equip all of California's diverse communities with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent, prepare for and safely respond to emergencies when the time comes.

"It is essential that all communities, including the access and functional needs community, be educated about individual preparedness and empowered to protect themselves and their loved ones in the event of an emergency," said Cal EMA Secretary Mark Ghilarducci.

Access and functional needs populations are defined as those who may have additional needs before, during or after an incident in functional areas, such as maintaining independence, communication, transportation and medical care.

Individuals in need of additional response assistance may include the elderly, children or people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, limited access to transportation or those who live in institutionalized settings.

"This starter kit differs from the standard preparedness kit. The educational materials are focused on the unique and special requirements of the access and functional needs community; the kit contains tools such as a medication organizer, collapsible water bowl for assistance animals, and emergency notification cards" said Sheri Burns, Executive Director of Community Resources for Independent Living.

"In partnership with Cal EMA, Red Cross offers emergency preparedness tips and training in 14 languages, has distributed over 46,000 preparedness kits to Californians over the past two years, and continues to reach out to better prepare diverse and vulnerable communities across the state of California," said Harold Brooks, chief executive officer of American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, who facilitated the collaboration between Red Cross and Cal EMA.

The Cal EMA and Red Cross preparedness starter kits are being distributed by local Red Cross chapters throughout the state during preparedness trainings and community events as part of their mission to prepare California residents.

For more information regarding these kits and the ongoing effort to prepare Californians for any emergency or disaster, please visit Cal EMA at www.calema.ca.gov .

American Red Cross chapter serving Lake County can be reached at 707-263-8451.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Historical Society will enjoy their Sunday, April 29, general membership meeting at the Lucerne Hotel, better known to locals as “The Castle.”

The historic building is located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne.

Join the group at 2 p.m. to relax and enjoy listening to speaker Eric Seely, deputy county administrative officer for special projects, as he brings the group up-to-date on the Castle’s future and gives members a tour.

The Castle was built at the end of the 1920s, at the beginning of the Great Depression. Since its completion the building has passed through numerous hands and uses, most falling far below its potential and grandeur.

That is about to change; negotiations are under way between county of Lake and Marymount College regarding a college campus at the historic Lucerne Hotel.

Refreshments will be served in the lobby area. Join the group and bring friends. Donated cookies and cake to share would be appreciated.

If you have any questions please call Phil Smoley at 707-349-1008 or Randy Ridgel at 707-279-4062. Please wear warm clothing as the building can be very cool inside.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Join in the fun at the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday, May 6, in Lakeport's Library Park.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., located in the park across the street from Lakeport City Hall on Park Street.

The day will start with a mass and blessing. Then stay for the day enjoying many Hispanic foods, music, children’s activities including a jumpy house and piñatas, and local agency resource information.

Entertainment by DJ Super Laser 2000, Irma Lopez and Grupo Cautivos Musical.

For more information or for vendor and agency booth applications please call Shushan at 707-279-4152 or Ana at 707-994-6447, Extension 2915.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The first list of nominees for this year's of Stars of Lake County Award nominees has been released.

The deadline for nominations for the 15th annual Stars of Lake County Community Awards is Friday, April 13.

Nomination forms are available on line at www.lakecochamber.com , just click on the Stars of Lake County banner on the home page; or you can just phone the Lake County Chamber at 707-263-5092 and they will email or fax you a form.

Melissa Fulton, chamber chief executive officer, urges community members not to let worthy nominees go unrecognized because you didn’t put in the nomination.

“We know there are many worthwhile persons, organizations and businesses that are working for our communities, not because they have to, but because they want to,” said Fulton. “Those entities deserve the recognition that Stars of Lake County nominations afford. Even more important is the work they do may encourage others in Lake County to pitch in and do the same.”

Open categories currently: Student of the Year (Male and Female); Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer; Agriculture Award; Environmental Award; New Business of the Year; Arts Award – Amateur and Professional.  Categories with one nominee only: Humanitarian; Senior; Volunteer; Youth Advocate – Professional; Organization – Nonprofit and Volunteer; Large Business; Lifetime Achievement.

Nominations may be made by anyone. In the case of the students, those may be made by counselors, teachers, parents, etc.

Take time to think about the people, organizations and businesses who give of themselves to better our communities and be help us provide them the recognition they deserve.

Tickets for Stars of Lake County being held at PSI Seminars on May 6 go on sale soon. For more information, contact the Chamber at 707-263-5092.

The current list of nominees is below.

STARS OF LAKE COUNTY NOMINEES

Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year
1. Dr. Paula Dhanda, Kelseyville

Senior of the Year
1. Janet Taylor, Lakeport

Volunteer of the Year
1. Edward McDonald, Lakeport

Youth Advocate of the Year-Professional
1. Patty Chandler, Lakeport

Organization of the Year-Nonprofit (has paid staff)
1. Hospice Services of Lake County, Lakeport

Organization of the Year-Volunteer (all volunteer staff)
1. Any Positive Change, Lower Lake

Small Business of the Year
1. Tatonka Trading & Mini Golf, Clearlake
2. Here for the Holidays/Accents on the Lake, Kelseyville

Large Business of the Year
1. Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber Co., Lakeport

Best Idea of the Year
1. Window Treatments for Vacant Storefronts, All Around Lake County
2. Funtown at Lakeside Family Fun Center, Lakeport

Local Hero of the Year
1. Amy Zingone, Clearlake Oaks
2. Gabriel Lopez, Hidden Valley Lake

Woman of the Year
1. Susan Cannon, DVM, Lakeport
2. Linda Burton, Clearlake

Man of the Year
1. Charles Davis, Clearlake
2. Gary Dickson, Lakeport
3. Joey Luiz, Clearlake

Lifetime Achievement
1. Griffie Ratterree, Clearlake