Don’t miss the variety show at the Marge Alakszay Center, a benefit to support Clear Lake High School’s Sober Grad.

The evening promises fun-filled entertainment, with performances from Luanne’s Gymnastics, Miss Lake County and many others.

During intermission Guy Strohmeier will emcee the live auction with great lots such as a two-night stay at Meeks Bay in Lake Tahoe, an electric guitar kit from Bandbox Music and a concert package including two tickets to the Lost Boys/Eddie Money concert at Konocti Harbor, complete with overnight stay.

Bid on the senior graduation package which includes reserved parking and front row seating for graduation 2009.

If you don’t have a senior, we won’t let you be left out with the chance to win a family pass to all CLHS events.

This promises to be an enjoyable, affordable night out, with tickets for adults at $5, children $3 (under 5yrs free).

For more information, call Clear Lake High School, 262-3010.

Clear Lake High School is located at 350 Lange St., Lakeport.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

HIDDEN VALLEYLAKE – A $20 dues reduction for Lake County members of the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) is now in effect through May 1, thanks to a membership stimulus package from the California NWPC (www.nwpcca.org).

Annual dues are reduced from $70 to $50, with memberships paid on a sliding scale to $20 for low-income people and students age 16 years and above.

Recent county supervisor candidate Susanne La Faver donated seed money for the local caucus from surplus campaign funds after she earned 47 percent of District 1 votes in a runoff Nov. 8.

“The donation demonstrates my personal legacy to local women, good government and public service,” La Faver said.

Three countywide organizational meetings, Feb. 21, and March 4 and 19, are scheduled at various times and places for the convenience of all interested members.

According to Wanda Harris, NWPC-Lake County Caucus membership vice president, there’s been an enthusiastic response to the local caucus even before its first meeting, Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hidden Valley Lake Community Service District board room, 19400 Hartmann Road.

In addition to the Feb. 21 meeting, others are Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Upper Lake (place to be determined) and Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Main Street Grill, Clearlake.

Door prizes at the first two meetings are tickets to "Women Taking the Lead to Save the Planet," the 26th Celebration of Women's History Month, Sunday, March 8, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday Afternoon Club, 107 S. Oak Street, Ukiah.

The National Women’s Political Caucus is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, multicultural, grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process; teaching political leadership skills; and identifying, recruiting, training and supporting local women for election and appointment to public office.

For more information, please contact Susanne La Faver at (707) 987-1146 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23. A potluck precedes the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The full power station, operational since April 5, 2008, introduced the show, “Our Stories, Our Lives,” dealing with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) during their first month of transmission.

The meeting will take place at the Redbud Library, Conference Room, 14785 Burnes Valley Road, Clearlake.

For more information call 995-3905.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

LUCERNE – The Lucerne Booster Club and the North Shore Business Association are working with the local community to revive an historic event that has been in our community since the 1930s, the North Shore Alpine Arts Festival.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 at Lucerne Harbor Park.

Hopes are high that this interactive art and music event will help to bring community together while raising funds for local non-profit organizations.

The Alpine Arts Festival was designed to promote Lake County artists, businesses, nonprofit and school organizations. The event’s organizers are currently looking for local artist to show case their art and hand made crafts. They are also recruiting stage acts. Lake County Youth Writes will be hosting the 2009 Poetry Showcase during the event.

Lake County businesses, booster clubs and parent-teacher organizations are being asked to provide creative art projects for kids at their booth for a low cost to the child. It will be a great opportunity for local non-profit agencies to raise funds. Local food vendors are welcomed.

All booths will cost a low fee of $25. For more information or a booth application, please contact Lani Urquiza at 349-5457 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

The following guests are scheduled to appear in the coming weeks:

Feb. 21: Tim Carpenter, National director of PDA;

Feb. 28: California State Sen. Patricia Wiggins.

The show's mission is to provoke thought, facilitate intelligent conversation, inspire all of us to engage in our government after all. In order to be a self-governed nation of the people, by the people and for the people, it must include the people.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}

The Internal Revenue Service recognizes that many people are going through difficult times financially. Often, there is a tax impact to events such as job loss, debt forgiveness or dipping into a retirement account.

If your income has decreased, you may even be eligible for certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can mean money in your pocket.

Most importantly, if you believe you may have trouble paying your tax bill, contact the IRS immediately. There are steps the IRS can take to help. To avoid additional penalties, you should always file your tax return on time even if you are unable pay your tax bill.

Here are some “What if” questions that are answered on the official IRS Web site.

Simply go to IRS.gov and type the keywords "What if" in the “search” box at the top of the page.

Job Related

What if I lose my job?

What if my income declines?

What if I withdraw money from my IRA?

What if my 401(k) drops in value

Debt Related

What if I lose my home through foreclosure?

What if I sell my home for a loss?

What if my debt is forgiven?

Tax Related

What if I can’t pay my taxes?

What if I can’t pay my installment agreement?

What if I can’t resolve my tax problem with the IRS?

What if I need legal representation to help with my tax problem but can’t afford it?

Remember. to access the genuine IRS Web site be sure to use .gov. Don't be confused by Internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www.irs.gov.

{mos_sb_discuss:2}