HIDDEN VALLEYLAKE – A $20 dues reduction for Lake County members of the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) is now in effect through May 1, thanks to a membership stimulus package from the California NWPC (www.nwpcca.org).

Annual dues are reduced from $70 to $50, with memberships paid on a sliding scale to $20 for low-income people and students age 16 years and above.

Recent county supervisor candidate Susanne La Faver donated seed money for the local caucus from surplus campaign funds after she earned 47 percent of District 1 votes in a runoff Nov. 8.

“The donation demonstrates my personal legacy to local women, good government and public service,” La Faver said.

Three countywide organizational meetings, Feb. 21, and March 4 and 19, are scheduled at various times and places for the convenience of all interested members.

According to Wanda Harris, NWPC-Lake County Caucus membership vice president, there’s been an enthusiastic response to the local caucus even before its first meeting, Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hidden Valley Lake Community Service District board room, 19400 Hartmann Road.

In addition to the Feb. 21 meeting, others are Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Upper Lake (place to be determined) and Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Main Street Grill, Clearlake.

Door prizes at the first two meetings are tickets to "Women Taking the Lead to Save the Planet," the 26th Celebration of Women's History Month, Sunday, March 8, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday Afternoon Club, 107 S. Oak Street, Ukiah.

The National Women’s Political Caucus is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, multicultural, grassroots organization dedicated to increasing women’s participation in the political process; teaching political leadership skills; and identifying, recruiting, training and supporting local women for election and appointment to public office.

For more information, please contact Susanne La Faver at (707) 987-1146 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23. A potluck precedes the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The full power station, operational since April 5, 2008, introduced the show, “Our Stories, Our Lives,” dealing with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) during their first month of transmission.

The meeting will take place at the Redbud Library, Conference Room, 14785 Burnes Valley Road, Clearlake.

For more information call 995-3905.

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Pictured in photo (left to right): Jo Douville, June Beto, Elaine Mansell, Ann Blue, Claire Grieve, Nora Gerrard, Marva Brandt, Carol Brabrook and Ginny Cline. Photo by Linda Pyers.

LAKE COUNTY – Members of the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club packaged 125 Valentine bags which were delivered to the Lucerne Alpine Senior and the Lucerne Senior Center so they could be delivered to the Meals on Wheels people the day before Valentine's Day.

Fifteen Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club members all pitched in – making handmade cards, shopping for candy and bags, buying candy, taking photos, packaging the bags and then delivering them to the two senior centers.

Claire Grieve and Jo Douville provided desserts and coffee/tea, and a nice time followed with everyone sitting around visiting.

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The following guests are scheduled to appear in the coming weeks:

Feb. 21: Tim Carpenter, National director of PDA;

Feb. 28: California State Sen. Patricia Wiggins.

The show's mission is to provoke thought, facilitate intelligent conversation, inspire all of us to engage in our government after all. In order to be a self-governed nation of the people, by the people and for the people, it must include the people.

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The Internal Revenue Service recognizes that many people are going through difficult times financially. Often, there is a tax impact to events such as job loss, debt forgiveness or dipping into a retirement account.

If your income has decreased, you may even be eligible for certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can mean money in your pocket.

Most importantly, if you believe you may have trouble paying your tax bill, contact the IRS immediately. There are steps the IRS can take to help. To avoid additional penalties, you should always file your tax return on time even if you are unable pay your tax bill.

Here are some “What if” questions that are answered on the official IRS Web site.

Simply go to IRS.gov and type the keywords "What if" in the “search” box at the top of the page.

Job Related

What if I lose my job?

What if my income declines?

What if I withdraw money from my IRA?

What if my 401(k) drops in value

Debt Related

What if I lose my home through foreclosure?

What if I sell my home for a loss?

What if my debt is forgiven?

Tax Related

What if I can’t pay my taxes?

What if I can’t pay my installment agreement?

What if I can’t resolve my tax problem with the IRS?

What if I need legal representation to help with my tax problem but can’t afford it?

Remember. to access the genuine IRS Web site be sure to use .gov. Don't be confused by Internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www.irs.gov.

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The Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce reports that the following people, groups and businesses have been nominated. Nominations can be made online www.lakeportchamber.com/stars/default.asp. For more information call the chamber at 263-5092.

Stars of Lake County 2009 nominees, as of Feb. 12:

MAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Lake County Record Bee

1. Andy Weiss, Lakeport

2. Duane Furman, Lakeport

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Northlake Medical Pharmacy

1. Yvonne Cox, Nice

2. Linda Fergusson, Hidden Valley Lake

3. Cheryl Robbins, Lakeport

4. Shirley Crawford, Kelseyville

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Bruno’s Shop Smart

No nominees

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Food’s Etc.

No nominees

YOUTH ADVOCATE/VOLUNTEER

Sponsored by: Polestar Computers

1. Lorna Sue Sides, Kelseyville

YOUTH ADVOCATE/PROFESSIONAL

Sponsored by: Umpqua Bank

No nominees

MALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: McDonald’s-Lakeport

1. Benjamin Mullin, Lucerne

FEMALE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Piedmont Lumber

No nominees

AGRICULTURE AWARD

1. JoAnn Saccato, Clearlake

ARTS AWARD/AMATEUR

Sponsored by: Shannon Ridge Winery & Vineyards

No nominees

ARTS AWARD/PROFESSIONAL

No nominees

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Barry Parkinson, attorney at law

1. Dick Michaels, Kelseyville

2. Bill and Carolyn Tobin, Middletown

3. Jan Parkinson, Lakeport

4. Myra Wendt, Lakeport; Pat Norcio, Lakeport; Bill Knoll, Lakeport; Beth Truman-Nunes, Clearlake Oaks; Barbara Lee, Lower Lake

5. Brondell Locke Jr., Clearlake Oaks

MARLA RUZICKA HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka

1. Faith Hornby, Lakeport

2. Mina Pierce, Clearlake Oaks

SENIOR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: WestAmerica Bank

No nominees

BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: Kathy Fowler Auto Dealerships

1. Mary McMillan, Kelseyville

ORGANIZATION-VOLUNTEER

Sponsored by: Strong Financial Network

1. Operation Tango Mike, Kelseyville

2. Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, Clearlake

ORGANIZATION-NONPROFIT

No nominees

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT-WOMAN

Sponsored by: Lakeview Market & Deli

Dr. Frances Crary, Lakeport

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT-MAN

Sponsored by: Orchard Park Assisted Living & Memory Care

No nominees

HERO OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by: U. S. Representative Mike Thompson

1. Mike Botto, Clearlake

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

1. Chic Le Chef, Hidden Valley Lake

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Sponsored by: Lake County Land Trust

No nominees

SPIRIT OF LAKE COUNTY

Sponsored by: John Tomkins

No nominees

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