LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee presents its annual Christmas tree lighting and holiday open house Friday, Dec. 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m., followed by an old-fashioned sing-a-long of carols and holiday songs around the antique player piano.

Bill Barrows also will grace the event with his guitar playing. And of course there will be refreshments, holiday displays and merriment and cheer.

The museum is located at 16435 Main St. in Lower Lake.

For more information call 707-995-3565 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Troop 315 of Middletown Hidden Valley collected 1,180 pounds of food in the annual Scouting for Food drive.

The drive allows the boys to take part in community service by giving back to the community and filling the local food banks.

Scouting for Food is held annually and sponsored by ABC 7 news as well as others.

Scouting gives boys the opportunity to serve their communities and participate in exciting outings like camping, archery, hiking and kayaking, to name a few.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Rotary Club of Clearlake will be hosting its annual community Christmas dinner on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The dinner, open to everyone, will take place at the Burns Valley Elementary School’s Multipurpose Room, 3620 Pine St. in Clearlake.

Westamerica Bank recently presented Rotary with a $500 check to support the event.

The bank has contributed to this community benefit event for 21 years, since Rotary introduced this annual event in 1992.

On the menu this year is ham, a vegetable side dish, potatoes, pumpkin pie, cookies, tea and coffee.

A special visit from Santa Claus also is planned.

All children will receive a photo with Santa, along with a special gift.

Last year, more than 1,000 meals were served, and hundreds of children received photos and a present from the jolly old elf.

Warm for the Winter will once again be on hand, giving away warm coats, warm clothing, and blankets.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join the Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium for a holiday experience.

Journey back 2,000 years to Bethlehem as they seek to discover which ancient star was the one the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus.

This modern retelling of the Christmas story also investigates possible dates for the birth of Christ and looks at recorded sightings of significant astronomical events during this important time in history.

What signs in the sky could have been so intriguing as to cause the wise men to cross a desert in search of the newborn King?

“Mystery of the Christmas Star” will answer all of these questions and more, while charming audiences of all ages.

Sponsored by The Friends of Taylor Observatory, shows will be presented Saturdays from Nov. 30 through Jan. 4.

Show times are 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Telescope viewing is included, weather permitting. Please dress accordingly.

Ticket prices are $5 per adult and $3 per child under 12 years.

For more information about the show, visit www.taylorobservatory.org and check the planetarium programs and movies page.

The Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium is located at 5725 Oak Hills Lane in Kelseyville.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club makes gorgeous holiday wreaths each year and sells them to community members.

The wreaths are made of fresh greenery, grown by garden club members.

Funds raised at this fun event are used for the club's annual scholarship as well as civic beautification projects, some of which include the Ely Stage Stop, maintaining the lovely round planters at Library Park and the Blue Star Memorial that honors our Armed Forces.

Wreaths can be purchased for $20 by contacting any garden club member or Carol Dobusch, 707-279-1169, or Nancy Benkelman, 707-263-6665.

Orders must be made and payment received by Nov 26.

Wreaths are made the first week of December. Wreaths are made at the Bachelor Valley Grange in Upper Lake.

Potential new members and interested parties are welcome to come help and learn about wreath making in this fun fundraiser. Call the above numbers for specific information.

The CLTTGC meets at noon the third Tuesday of every month – except July and August – at the Scott’s Valley Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

Anyone interested in gardening and civic beautification and philanthropic projects is invited to attend.

Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of the Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 26th annual Lakeport Holiday Lighted Parade takes place on Saturday, Nov. 30, on Main Street. 

The parade participants will line up this year in the Fifth Street parking lot next to the launch ramp at Library Park. This is a change from lining up at the fairgrounds.

Entry forms have been mailed to prior participants and the form is now available on www.lakecochamber.com . Deadline for entering the parade is Monday, Nov. 25.

The stage for the parade judges will be located between Second and Third streets in front of the Lake County Special Districts office.

Mendo Mill Lumber & Home Center is providing the stage as they have for many years. Savings Bank of Mendocino County is once again the major sponsor for this 26th annual holiday parade, which for the last 11 years has been a lighted parade.

Activities during the afternoon of Nov. 30 sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association will include free craft children’s activities, a visit with Santa at Bicoastal Media, located at 140 N. Main St. from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (photos available for $5), an Elf Treasure Hunt and a booth selling funnel cakes, snugglers and hot chocolate.

Hospice Services of Lake County will take to the stage following the parade with their Light Up A Life Celebration, singing Christmas carols, serving free hot chocolate and cookies. Historic walking tours will take place at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

A new addition to this year's festivities is a Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association. Various businesses will decorate Christmas trees and the public is invited to vote for their favorite tree. Voting closes on Dec. 9.

Following the close of voting, all the trees are being donated to Lake Family Resource Center, which will present the trees to families who would not otherwise have a tree for the holiday.

This year the Lakeport Kiwanis decorated the Lakeport Christmas tree in front of the museum. The evening's festivities culminate with the lighting of the tree on the lawn of Museum Square.