MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown First Baptist Church will host a free Thanksgiving dinner for the community on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 28.

The dinner will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the church, 14476 Highway 175.

Everyone is welcome.

Want to help? They need donations of food and volunteer time.

For more information or to volunteer, please call Barb Thornton at 707-987-0231 or 707-987-1480, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Around the world many women are working to improve the lives of women and girls. Some women do this through their personal or volunteer efforts.

Each year the regions of Soroptimist International of the Americas ask all of their clubs to solicit nominations for the Ruby Award for women helping women.

The Ruby Award honors Ruby Lee Minar, the first Soroptimist of the American Federation president.

The Ruby is also a gemstone associated with wisdom, importance, vitality strength, power and love – all words embodying the award recipients.

Women can nominate themselves or can be nominated by others with their consent. Award winners on the club level are given a certificate and a cash award to be given to the Lake County charity of their choice.

Applications are available and due annually in January with judging in February. To receive an application for the Ruby Award contact Ruby Award Chair Arlene Grimes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-987-9007

Each year Soroptimist International of Clear Lake asks community organizations and individuals to nominate candidates for the annual Ruby Award, which are then judged.

Honorees are ordinary women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls.

This program enables Soroptimist International of Clear Lake to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls.

Soroptimist is a cause-related philanthropic federation of clubs working to improve the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally.

Soroptimist International Clear Lake meets twice monthly on the second and fourth Thursdays. Lunch is $12 and all interested women are invited to attend and learn more about the organization.

Please contact group President Wanda Harris for information at 707-987-9027 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair Board will meet on Monday, Nov. 25.

The meeting will begin at 4:45 p.m. at the administration office at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

Action items include approval of hazardous agreements, the 2014 Lake County Fair commercial and concession rental rates, the 2014 District Agricultural Association budget, and board officers nominations and elections.

There also will be committee reports, discussion of the December calendar of events and a letter from Janette Steiner.

Fair board directors include President Janeane Bogner, Vice President Marcia Chauvin, Sham Cochrane, Annette Hopkins, Meyo Marrufo, Jerry McQueen, Carol Brandt, Dr. Paul Marchand and Doug Rhoades.

For more information call the fair office at 707-263-6181 or visit the fair online at www.lakecountyfair.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Christmas Wish Trees have returned to Umpqua Bank locations in Lakeport and Kelseyville.

In partnership with Child Protective Services, Umpqua Bank associates have committed to making holiday wishes come true for children under the supervision of Child Protective Services in Lake County.

The wishes of more than 200 children, ages 1 month to 17 years, are written on tags and hung from the wish trees located in both Umpqua Banks. The banks invite you to join them in making the wishes come true for these kids.

Come by either Umpqua Bank location and read the wishes that are on the tree and select one that you can grant, then sign our register. Return the item by Dec. 12, gift wrapped and with the tag attached to be placed under the tree.

The dedicated staff of CPS and Umpqua associates will see that the gifts are delivered by Christmas Eve.

If you are unable to purchase a gift, but would like to sponsor one, let them know and they will do the shopping for you.

Experience the joy of giving and brighten the holiday of a child in need.

Umpqua Bank is located in Lakeport at 805 11th St. and in Kelseyville at 4280 Main St.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call the bank branches at 707-262-3342 or 707-262-3389.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A caregiver support group for families dealing with memory loss or other cognitive impairments will meet on Thursday, Nov. 21.

The group meets at the First Lutheran Church, 3863 Country Club Drive across from the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Social worker Jenny Johnson is the facilitator.

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

For more information call Jenny Johnson at 707-350-3030 or Caroline Denny at 707-263-9481.

Respite is provided by the centers at no charge.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District will hold a regular board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the boardroom at the district's offices, 19400 Hartmann Road.

Agenda items will include personnel, finance, and security and disaster preparedness program committee reports; discussion of member attendance at other meetings, including Association of California Water Agencies Region 1, ACWA State Legislative Committee and County OES; and the accountant/controller's report and general manager's report.

Up for discussion and possible action is a strategic plan, as well as adoption of Resolution 2013-16 in support of the Association of California Water Agencies’ Statewide Water Action Plan and discussion of the impact of proposed California Department of Public Health hexavalent chromium maximum contaminant level on district operations.

The board will hold a closed session to discuss anticipated litigation.

Public records are available upon request. Board packets are posted at www.hiddenvalleylakecsd.com ; click on the “board packet” link on the agenda tab.

In compliance to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special accommodations to participate in or attend the meeting please contact the District Office at 707-987-9201 at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

Public shall be given the opportunity to comment on each agenda item before the governing board acts on that item, Government Code 54953.3. All other comments will be taken under public comment.