KELSEYVILLE – A fundraiser breakfast will be held to benefit the family of Sgt. 1st Class David Hartman on Sunday, March 21.

The breakfast, sponsored by Operation Tango Mike and the Military Funeral Honors Team, will be held at the Kelseyville Lions Club, at 4335 Sylar Lane in Kelseyville, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Hartman was killed in action in Pakistan in February.

The fundraiser will help cover his family's travel expenses to Arlington National Cemetery, where he will be buried April 7.

The suggested donation is $6.

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 .

Artist Pat Courtney won the adult division of the Kelseyville Olive Festival Post Contest and also was named grand prize winner. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE – The winners for the Kelseyville Olive Festival Poster Contest have been chosen.

A private judging by local professional artists was held at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport on Tuesday to determine the winners of the Kelseyville Olive Festival Poster Contest.

The all-ages contest brought in 33 entries which were judged for their originality, creativity, depiction of the theme and execution of art.

Steven Sprague's entry from Mr. Mac's Third Grade Class at Kelseyville Elementary School was chosen as the winner for the child age group, and Pat Courtney's entry was chosen as the winning adult entry and as the grand prize winner, which will be used as next year's olive festival poster.

Both winners will receive a cash prize along with art supplies donated by Mendo-Lake Office Products and a gift certificate to LuLu's Ice Cream and Desserts in Kelseyville.

Selected entries and the winning posters will be on display at the Kelseyville Olive Festival, Sunday March 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kelseyville Olive Mill, 5625 Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville, across from the Post Office.

Kelseyville Elementary third grader Steven Sprague was chosen as the winner of the Kelseyville Olive Festival Post Contest's child age group. Courtesy photo.

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.