LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A handbook on how to identify and report potential elder abuse and elder financial abuse is available at the Lake County District Attorney's Office.

The public can access the handbook online at the Lake County District Attorney's Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/DistrictAttorney/Elder+Abuse.pdf?method=1 , or can call the Lake County District Attorney's Office for a copy, 707-263-2251.

The publication was produced by the California Department of Justice and contains information about what you should look for and how to report possible abuse.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The North Lake Garden Club will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

The meeting will take place at the Lucerne Community Church, 5870 E. Highway 20.

Members will gather at 6:30 p.m. for refreshments and sharing plants.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m., with sustainability and permaculture the topic.

Guest speaker Peter Reynolds, owner since 1989 of Down to Landscaping in Redwood Valley, will discuss how to develop a garden.

Reynolds designs and builds maintenance services for outdoor spaces with a particular interest in incorporating permaculture and sustainable concepts into the plan.

The North Lake Garden Club is beginning their sixth year and welcomes new members.

The club recently held its inaugural Holiday Gardening Faire in Nice at the Sons of Italy hall.

The club is a member of California Garden Clubs Inc., National Garden Clubs Inc. and Mendo-Lake District.

The club meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

At the February meeting the club will host Gregg Gompper of Olivia's Organics Upper Lake, who will discuss organic pest control.

For more information call club President Don Smith at 707-274-7786.

The Kitchen Gallery, located at 301 N. Main St., will host the following list of classes featuring Esther Oertel, “The Veggie Girl” columnist for Lake County News, culinary educator and owner of “The Sage Coach,” and Ross Christensen, author of “Sushi A to Z the Ultimate Guide” and owner of Christensen Foods.

Unless otherwise indicated, all are demo classes. Students will receive recipes and generous tastes of the dishes presented.

Cooking Light with the New Comfort Foods: Sunday, Jan. 9, 2 p.m.

This class will provide inspiration for those seeking weight loss, as well as those who simply want to cook healthier meals. Oertel will share recipes she’s dubbed “the new comfort foods” because they’re full of the flavor and texture we crave while being low in fat and sugar. Cost: $25.

Sushi with Ross: Sunday, Jan. 23, 2 p.m.

Learn how to make sushi in your own home with Ross Christensen, author of “Sushi A to Z the Ultimate Guide.” You will learn the history, tools, cooking and preparation techniques of some of the most popular sushi, and you will even create your own. This will be a hands-on class that will make you comfortable making your own sushi at home. Cost: $30, which includes take-home sushi rolling mat.

Pizza Party: Thursday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m.

This class will get you started on making your own pizza at home. Learn to make crust and get inspiration for creative toppings – the possibilities are endless. Cost: $25.

Cooking for Couples: Thursday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.

Enjoy cooking with your honey in this class inspired by Valentine’s Day. It’s sure to be a romantic evening for you and your special someone. The class will include some hands-on cooking experiences, culinary demos, and eating together. Cost: $45 per couple.

Pasta Making: Sunday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m.

Want to learn how to make pasta just like a native Italian? Join Ross Christensen in this exciting cooking class. Fresh, homemade pasta is easier to make than it seems, and in this hands-on class you’ll have the opportunity to make several types of pasta dough and an assortment of pasta shapes. We’ll discuss the differences in the different methods of forming pasta, including hand-formed and extruded varieties. Cost: $25.

All About Chocolate: Sunday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m.

Chocoholics will love this class. The use of chocolate in sweet, gooey desserts, as well as in savory cuisine, will be explored, and students will enjoy an educational (and delicious) chocolate tasting. Cost: $25.

Cooking with Julia: Sunday, March 6, 2 p.m.

This class celebrates Julia Child’s persona, recipes, and cooking tips. Cooking techniques will be presented throughout, as well as the making of a classic sauce. Cost: $25.

St. Patrick’s Day Revisited: Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m.

There’s more to Irish cooking than corned beef and cabbage. Authentic Irish recipes and traditions will be celebrated in this class. Cost: $25.

Herbs, Spices and Salts: Thursday, March 24, 6 p.m.

This class explores the flavors that are brought to cuisine through the use of herbs, spices and salts. Info on flavor pairing, a salt tasting, and the making of herb salt blends are included in the class. Cost: $25.

Classes fill up quickly. Call The Kitchen Gallery, 707-262-0422, to reserve your spot before they fill up.

Sanducci's Cottage in Lakeport, Calif., won first place in the commercial division in the city of Lakeport's annual holiday decorating contest for December 2010. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two city residents and two businesses received prizes in the city of Lakeport's annual holiday decorating contest.

The annual contest is sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce and city of Lakeport.

Lakeport Main Street Association Executive Director Carol Hays and Lake County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melissa Fulton presented the awards at the Lakeport City Council's Dec. 21 meeting.

Winning first place and $300 in the commercial competition was Sanducci's Cottage, located at 1090 N. Main St.

Second place and $100 went to Flowers by Jackie, located at 208 S. Main St.

In the residential division, Jared and Tiffany Bussard won first place and $300 for their festively decorated home, located at 842 Central Park Ave. This is the second year in a row the Bussards have won.

Taking second place and $200 in the residential competition were Bill and Melissa Chapman, whose home at 1101 Tunis caught the judges' eyes.

The club is located at the Fifth Street boat launching ramp in Lakeport.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. with items regarding the Flotilla activities planned for the new year of 2011.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the many different activities offered is encouraged to attend the meeting.

For additional information regarding the Flotilla and meetings, please call the information line at 707-513-5122.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner starting at 6 p.m.

Seating is reserved. Tickets cost $50 per person, which includes salad, bread, dipping oil, pasta with homemade sauce, lots of crab of course, dessert and coffee, plus a chance at a door prize.

The event will be held at the Middletown Lions Club on Central Park Road.

For tickets call Helen Whitney, 707-928-9812 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..