Pictured are Cheri Cunningham, far left, and Kelly Thorn in the foreground at the Blood Bank of the Redwoods' blood drive at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport, Calif., on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT – On March 9, Umpqua Bank in Lakeport hosted a blood drive in honor of Karen Nelson’s battle against cancer.

Blood Bank of the Redwoods utilized rooms made available to them by the bank to facilitate the drive.

The Blood Bank needed 25 donors to make their trip cost efficient, but the community overwhelmed them with 55 donors in all.

A special thanks to Lynn Brookes for coordinating the drive, John Norcio at McDonald's in Lakeport for supplying the cookies for the donors, Elva Hohn for acting as hostess during the event, and of course all of the donors.

Once again, the giving spirit is very evident in Lake County!

LAKE COUNTY – The Lake County Child Care Planning Council, along with many other Lake County agencies, organizations and individuals, are uniting once again to honor Early Childhood Educators through the second-annual ECE Award program.

Last year’s inaugural event was a great success, with the award-winners and nominees being honored by local dignitaries and leaders in the field at a special dinner held at Moore Family Winery, and this year promises to be even more exciting.

Nomination forms are being distributed widely throughout the county at elementary schools and other public offices, and an online submission form is available to make nominating a professional as convenient as possible.

Nomination forms are beginning to pour in, and winners will be selected based on a detailed interview and evaluation process that takes into consideration their education, commitment to their profession, and effectiveness in their role as educators.

To nominate an educator, please visit www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com . Nominations must be received by April 2.

“Early Childhood Educators contribute significantly to our communities. Quality early childhood education dramatically impacts high school graduation rates, keeps our communities working, and helps our communities develop productive, effective citizens of the future,” said Shelly Mascari, of the Lake County Child Care Planning Council. “Many of these educators have dedicated decades to their profession; their education in many cases equals that of the K-12 educator; and yet we are lacking a forum to recognize excellence in their field. The goal of this program is to do just that.”

The winners will receive an award package that includes scholarships to our local community colleges, gift certificates for classroom materials, press recognition, award plaques and more.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

• Provider of the Year (Family Child Care);

• Provider of the Year (Center-Based);

• School-Age Provider of the Year;

• Early Care & Education Advocate of the Year;

• Outstanding Special-Needs Inclusion;

• Leading the Field Award;

• Center of the Year.

To find out how to be involved in this program or support this important work financially, contact The Lake County Child Care Planning Council, 707-994-4795, www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com .

LUCERNE – The North Lake Garden Club will hold its monthly general meeting on Tuesday, March 23.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Lucerne Community Church, 5870 E. Highway 20, in Lucerne.

The club program will feature guest speakers Lori Wilcox and Marilyn Crayton of the Bachelor Valley Gourd Club in Witter Springs, who will discuss growing gourds from the vine to the birdhouse. Gourds artwork and plants will be available.

Members, guests and all interested are welcome. The locally-based North Lake Garden Club is a member of the California Garden Clubs Inc., Pacific Region the National Garden Clubs Inc., and one of six such garden clubs in the Mendo-lake District.

The club meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Lucerne Community Church.

Its objectives are to encourage interest in all phases of home gardening and in civic beautification; to promote better horticultural practices; and to encourage conservation of natural resources.

Founded in 2005, the club currently has a membership of 27, who are mostly from Upper Lake, Nice and Lucerne.

They are accepting new members at this time. Come join the fun!

NICE – Come enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance Saturday, March 13, at the Sons of Italy.

They are serving a corned beef and cabbage supper with all the fixings plus dessert at the club hall, 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

The bar is open for socializing at 5 p.m. then dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

Enjoy dancing to music of Jim Williams right after the meal.

All tickets are $15 at the door. Everyone is welcome.

For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-263-1606.

UKIAH – The Board of Trustees of the Mendocino-Lake Community College District is seeking members for its Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.

The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee is charged with overseeing the expenditure of Measure W bond proceeds.

Measure W was passed by the voters in November 2006, authorizing the issuance of $67.5 million for facilities and infrastructure improvements.

Specifically, the committee ensures that bond proceeds are expended only for the purposes set forth in Measure W, and that no bond proceeds are used for operating expenses or general administrative or faculty salaries.

The committee consists of ten members, selected by the Board of Trustees, to serve for a term of two years and for no more than two consecutive terms. Members shall serve without compensation.

Persons selected for this committee will represent one of the following categories: member of a business organization representing the business community located within the district, member of a senior citizens' organization, member of a bona-fide taxpayers association, an enrolled Mendocino College student active in a college group, and members of the community at-large.

No employee, official, vendor, contractor or consultant of Mendocino College may be appointed to the committee.

Applications for the Measure W Citizens' Oversight Committee are due March 31, and are available on the college website, www.mendocino.edu/bond , and from the Office of the Superintendent/President.

For more information, please call 707-468-3071.