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Opinion
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- Written by: Paula Bryant
Every year we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of compassion and generosity.
A special thank you goes to Elizabeth Larson at LakeCoNews.com. With the publication's support of our cause, the word got out and all of the tags were taken in record time.
There will be many happy children this holiday season thanks to the kindness of so many in our community. Lake County is truly a very special place to live.
We wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a safe, happy, and prosperous new year.
Paula Bryant is customer relationship manager at Umpqua Bank in Lakeport. She and the associates at the Lakeport and Kelseyville branches join in offering their thanks to the community.
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- Written by: Hedy Montoya
Living in a small town with core values that we all join together to help one another is one of the reasons we love living in Lake County.
Food donations are coming from so many sources, including the local Boy Scouts, Twin Pine Casino, the local schools, the post office and churches, to name but a few.
In the month of November, more than 330 people were served from Hidden Valley Lake, Cobb and Middletown, so we expect Spirit of the Season to be bigger than ever.
Many volunteers are working to sort the food so that boxes can now be prepared for the upcoming distribution on Dec. 18 from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Anyone in need of a food box should contact me, Hedy Montoya, at 707-987-8139.
Wish Trees are at Tri-Counties and Westamerica banks, Middletown Florist and Gifts, HVL Realty and Century 21 in HVL and Mt. High Coffee in Cobb.
The community is responding to the wishes of children so as to make their Christmas wishes come true and we are delighted that despite challenging times, folks respond in such generous ways.
As of Nov. 23, we were halfway to our monetary goal so as to attend to the needs of all who sign up for our program.
We give people a box of food, a Christmas dinner and gifts to age appropriate children.
If you can see your way to making a financial donation, please send to Spirit of the Season, P. O. Box 1468, Middletown, CA 95461. Your donation is tax-deductible.
Grateful to the community for all they do!
Hedy Montoya is coordinator for the community holiday program and regional director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa's Lake County programs. The Catholic Charities Office is located at 21257 Calistoga St., Middletown, Calif.
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- Written by: Beverly Owen
I strongly support and hope others will too her legislative efforts to help ensure that victims of domestic violence and their children can safely flee abusive environments.
We must end domestic violence and do everything possible to help victims, including the children, recover. So many parents yell and argue and fight in front of their children, which is emotionally damaging to them.
As Dr. Phil and his guests – including those from the National Network to End Domestic Violence – have shown, the need for domestic violence services is at record levels and shelters are unable to help every woman who seeks help. This usually sends women and their children back to the hands of their abusers which is so dangerous. We must not allow that to happen.
One little girl in my shelter in another county in the 1990s came into shelter with mom late one night and when she began our art therapy program, she only used the black crayon and proceeded to rip her paper with it.
After she had been with us awhile, I came to visit the shelter one day and said, “Who fed the horsey on the swing set?” There was grass in the horse's mouth! She ran to me saying, “I fed him!”, and she was smiling and proud. Her art now was multi-color happy drawings.
Together,we can make a positive difference in the lives of those caught up in the deadly storm of violence. Violence hurts the heart and kills the soul.
This is why I ask everyone to support Congresswoman Moore’s bipartisan legislation (HR 4116) to expand crucial services and programs for victims of domestic violence, especially the little children.
In addition, I also ask that you support every effort to bring the bill before the House of Representatives for the vote.
Beverly Owen lives in Clearlake, Calif.
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- Written by: Don Anderson
As your new district attorney, I will do everything in my power to efficiently deliver justice and to build an environment safe for residents and visitors alike.
Many, many people supported my campaign in various ways. I owe each and every one of you a huge debt of gratitude, especially my campaign team who has been with me since my decision to run for office almost a year ago.
I also want to thank the most faithful and cherished of my supporters, my family. Sacrifices too many to mention were made so that I could focus on campaigning. I am grateful for your commitment to me. I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of you.
To the many individuals, businesses and organizations who contributed to my campaign, I extend my deepest appreciation. Your generosity made it possible to get our message out to the voters through the media, an essential aspect of our campaign.
Finally, I owe a very special thanks to Peter and MaryAnn Schmid, owners of the Lodge at Blue Lakes.
Peter and MaryAnn hosted our kickoff campaign and their generosity continues with a victory celebration from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Lodge at Blue Lakes, 5135 West Highway 20, Upper Lake.
This no-charge event is open to all and features appetizers, a no-host bar and live music by David Neft.
I have been blessed to have the support of so many caring and dedicated people. Please join me on Dec. 5 to celebrate our mutual victory.
Don Anderson is Lake County's district attorney-elect. He takes office Jan. 5, 2011.