Do you have a passion for the theater and performing arts? Have you ever wanted to be part of a performing arts center and join the team, but would prefer to work “behind the scenes” instead of on the stage? The first step to involvement is becoming a volunteer!

The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is busy these days: upcoming performances, trees and shrubs to be planted in the new outdoor courtyard, planning for the dressing and restrooms for the performers and fundraising ideas galore.

With such a full agenda, they’re looking for volunteers to be part of this fulfilling and worthy adventure. If you enjoy working with a dedicated and fun-loving organization, now is the time to step forward.

If you would like to get involved, email the theater at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your interests and experience or send your resume along with your contact information to Soper Reese Theatre,
 P.O. Box 756, 
Lakeport, CA 95453.

For further details and volunteer positions available, feel free to contact Nina Marino at 707-279-4082 (evenings). They look forward to hearing from anyone who wants to help keep the performing arts theater alive and thriving. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is a project of the Lake County Arts Council, a 501 (c) 3 organization. Volunteers staff all theater positions.

The club meets at noon Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center in Lucerne.

The senior center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive (corner of 10^th and Country Club) in Lucerne.

The center serves breakfast from 9 a.m. until noon.

The public is invited. Membership in the Lake County Democratic Club is open to registered members of the Democratic Party.

For more information contact the local Democratic Party at 707-277-0713 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Nine nonprofit finalists will be selected from across the country, eight of which will be awarded $10,000 each.

The title grant of $50,000 will go to one winner, based on a national, public vote.

Redwood Creek wines is calling on outdoor organizations nationwide to apply for this year's grant to fund a specific outdoor project unique to that group.

Interested organizations must apply by Feb. 28 at www.RedwoodCreekWine.com .

Redwood Creek established the Greater Outdoors Project in 2008 to recognize and support nonprofit organizations that share its commitment to preserve, protect and provide access to America's great outdoors.

"The Sierra Nevada mountain snowmelt nurtures our vineyards, making them rich and fertile grounds for grape production," says Cal Dennison, Redwood Creek winemaker and outdoor enthusiast. "Because nature directly influences our craft and the quality of our wines, we should do our part to give back to the outdoors."

A panel of judges made up of active members of the outdoor community, including Dennison, will review applications from hiking, water conservation and energy preservation groups, to name a few. Redwood Creek wines encourages applicants to be creative in their project submissions.

Whether clearing pollution from Lake Erie, collecting litter from the trails of the Redwood Forests or sprucing up the appearance of the Everglades, any project dedicated to improving the outdoors is deemed appropriate.

From April 1 through Aug. 31, outdoor enthusiasts will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite nonprofit at www.RedwoodCreekWine.com . The winning organization will be announced in September.

Last year's Greater Outdoors Project grant was presented to Friends of New Orleans City Park, after a nationwide vote of more than 38,000. The $50,000 grant is currently being used to reestablish 19 acres of ecosystems in the Couturie Forest, a popular woodland nestled at the center of the park's 1,300 acres, that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

To enter this year's Greater Outdoors Project, participants must complete the online application at www.RedwoodCreekWine.com , which includes a statement of purpose, detailed budget, timeline and photographs of the proposed project.

All project work must be completed by December 2011. Only one application per organization will be considered and all submissions must be dedicated to a specific project.

The grant applicant must be 21 years of age or older and a legal U.S. citizen. Only members or representatives of registered 501(c )(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.

For complete rules and additional information, visit www.RedwoodCreekWine.com .

The state still owns the spectacular vistas, historic sites, and world-class beaches, but roofs and sewage systems leak, trails are washed out regularly (but not restrooms!), and campgrounds and visitor centers are shuttered.

The repair backlog tops $1 billion, and it keeps on growing.

If that weren't enough, twice in the past two years the parks were held hostage in the budget process, with systemwide shut downs threatened.

Last minute reprieves have kept them open, but many are now operating with reduced hours or calendars, and more reductions are expected next year, while user fees go up and up.

Here in Lake County, both Clear Lake State Park and Anderson Marsh State Historic Park were threatened with closure in 2008, and Anderson Marsh went back on the chopping block again last year. We simply can't afford to lose these precious community assets, which besides providing wonderful recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike, preserve significant natural resources and offer invaluable educational resources for our young people.

It’s time to fix this mess, which is why park supporters want to place a statewide initiative on the November 2010 ballot.

The “California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010” will provide the permanent, stable, long-term funding our parks need by establishing a trust fund to be spent only on state parks, wildlife and marine conservation, and state conservancies.

Funding will come from an $18 surcharge on the registration fee for California vehicles, including motorcycles and recreational vehicles but not larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes, and permanent trailers. Surcharged vehicles will receive free admission to all state parks.

In comparison, park visitors currently pay up to $125 for an annual pass or $10 to 15 per day at most parks. There will still be charges for camping and other special services.

Spending from the trust fund will be subject to oversight by a citizen’s board, full public disclosure, and independent annual audits. Money from the general fund currently spent on parks will be available for other vital needs, including schools, health care, social services, and public safety.

Here’s how we can help.

This initiative proposal has been endorsed by the California State Parks Foundation, Audubon California and the Sierra Club.

Volunteers are helping to gather the 700,000 signatures needed to get the measure on the ballot by tabling outside stores and other places of public assembly, circulating petitions among their neighbors, and so forth.

The campaign kicked off in January and will last until April 17.

If you could donate a little time to this effort please get in touch with Victoria Brandon at 707-994-1931 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The campaign will provide petition forms, tabling signs, full instructions, and try to connect partners so that volunteers don't have to work alone.

The meeting begins at 4:15 p.m. in the city council chambers at 225 Park St. in Lakeport.

Agenda items include reports on Library Park, Westside Park, Westshore Pool, Millberry Park and a Main Street Association report, and a discussion of Proposition 84 park funding.

The commission will set its next regularly scheduled meeting for March 11.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city of Lakeport will make available to members of the public any special assistance necessary to participate in this meeting. The public should contact the City Clerk’s Office at 707-263-5615 to make such a request.

LOWER LAKE – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee will present its 16th annual Fashion Festival on Saturday, Feb. 20.

The show will begin at noon at the Lower Lake Museum’s Weaver Auditorium, 16435 Main St. in Lower Lake, and includes a delicious luncheon, live entertainment, a raffle for fine prizes, and a hat contest for most beautiful, most creative and most outrageous bonnets!

This event is the main annual fundraiser for the Committee's efforts to maintain and improve the Historic Schoolhouse Museum.

The Fashion Show itself will feature Lisa’s Sizes 3-60 of Clearlake with six local ladies modeling the latest styles, including prom dresses.

Tickets are $20 and groups may reserve a table for ten. Reservations are required and seating is very limited.

So shake off those winter doldrums and join the fun!

Call 707-995-3565 to reserve your tickets.