LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Emilie Gatfield, newly elected president of the California Democratic Council, will be the guest speaker at the Lake County Democratic Club on Tuesday, April 14.

Gatfield will give an introduction to the California Democratic Council, both past and present.

Lake County Democratic Club meetings are held in the social hall of the Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, 16255 Second St., on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. 

Meetings are open to the public. Membership is open to all registered Democrats.

The Lake County Democratic Club is an officially chartered club of the Democratic Party of Lake County.

For more information visit www.lakecountydemocraticclub.org or contact the club at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – It’s been many years since a lot of older Lake County residents got their driver’s licenses.

Yet the driving experience is significantly different from even a decade ago with changing vehicles, changing technology, changing road rules and even changing roadways.

Residents can refresh their skills and have the opportunity to save money on their car insurance with the new, enhanced AARP Smart Driver Course being offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, and Wednesday, April 29. There will be a lunch break on both days.

The course will be offered at the Clearlake Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., telephone 707-994-3051.

The new curriculum was developed following a two-year research study conducted by Eastern Virginia Medical School.

The course helps drivers age 50 and older stay current with driving laws and new technologies inside and outside of vehicles.

Participants also will learn defensive driving skills, proven safety strategies and how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.

“Since 1979, AARP Driver Safety has helped over 15 million drivers stay safe, educated and confident behind the wheel. Every driver can benefit from a refresher,” said Julie E. Lee, vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.

Many participants may be eligible for a multiyear insurance discount after taking the course. 

Participants are encouraged to check with their insurance agent to see if they are eligible.

Attendance is required but there are no tests required to pass the course.

You may also call the class instructor, Steve Hendricks, at 707-972-7884 for registration.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Friday, April 10, Congressman Mike Thompson will host his 24th annual Lake County Ravioli Dinner.

The dinner will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Phil Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

The evening will feature music by Deez Guize, great Lake County wines, homemade bake sales goodies and silent auction.

Free electronic recycling will be available at the event from 5 to 6 p.m. It is time to clean out closets and get rid of the old cell phones, computers, fax machines and all outdated electronics.  

The Computer Recycling Center will once again give four newly refurbished Intel Core Duo/Dual Core Windows desktops – with new keyboard, cables and mouse, and refurbished LCD flat panel monitor, and updated with Windows 8 – to four nonprofit organizations. The value of each system is $300.

Members of organizations that wish to be considered must bring a letter on the organization’s letterhead, addressed to Steven Wyatt. The letter must include your 501C3 number, and a short explanation as to how the computer will be used by your organization.

Tickets for the pasta dinner are $20 for adults, and children under 12 years may attend for free.

Tickets can be purchased in advance, at the door the day of the event or at www.mikethompsonforcongress.gov .

For more information, please call Mary Jane Bowker at 707-226-8989.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. –The next Hazmobile event will be held Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, at Upper Lake Community Park, 575 East Highway 20, Upper Lake.

Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge.

Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks, pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet), and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

Hazmobile services are provided to residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this taxpayer-funded service and first make an appointment.

Business appointments can be made by calling the Mendocino County Solid Waste Authority, the contracted agency that provides this service in Lake County at 707-468-9786.

Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions on first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.

Used cooking oil can be dropped-off by businesses and residents, which will be recycled into BioDiesel by Yokayo BioFuels. Drop-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the Northshore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne.

Used motor oil can be dropped-off by residents for recycling year round at a number of sites in the county. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for locations.

Electronics (E-waste) can be dropped-off at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and monthly at the Goodwill E-Waste collection held in Lakeport.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis Street, Clearlake
Open daily 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com

The Hazmobile program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County residents.

For more information about recycling, reusing, and reducing, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or call the Recycling Hotline at 707-263-1980.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – This Friday and Saturday, Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will host its semi-annual rummage sale at the church, located at 5340 Third St.

The sale begins at 9 am. Friday, and goes until 4 p.m.

On Saturday, it's a bag sale all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everything you can put into a bag for $1. Items in Granny's Attic are not included in the bag sale.

Food will be served, and there is a lot of gently used furniture, clothing, glassware, outdoor things and craft items available for sale.

All sales proceeds go to Presbyterian Women for outreach in our community.

For questions, call 707-279-1104.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Lake County will host a flea market event on Saturday, April 11.

The flea market will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Natural High School at 810 N. Main St., Lakeport.

The public is invited to join volunteers at this community event to raise funds to fight back against cancer.

All proceeds from the flea market will go to the American Cancer Society.

Teams will set up booths that will include rummage sale items, food, raffles, games, jewelry, plants and more.

Visit www.relayforlife.org/lakecountyca or contact Danyelle Johnson at 707-350-1774 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional information.