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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A down home blues benefit will be held to benefit the 2017 Clear Lake High School Grad Night on Friday, April 7.
The event will take place at the Soper Reese Theater at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with showtime at 7 p.m.
Levi Lloyd will headline the event, with Kay Irvine and Jim Wilson – also known as Dee Wills – also set to perform.
The cost is $25 per table seat with wine and appetizers. Loge seats are $15 each.
There also will be Southern comfort food snacks and beverages available at the concession stand.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Republican Party will meet on Tuesday, April 11.
The meeting will take place at Round Table Pizza, 821 11th St. in Lakeport.
Social time starts at 6 p.m. with no host food and beverages, followed by the business meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Group members will discuss President Trump's immigration policy and the proposal to make California a sanctuary state.
If you are interested in joining the Lake County Republican Committee, or if you are just interested in learning more about the group, please attend this meeting.
Follow the local Republican Party on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-CA-Republican-Party-401224996588222/?fref=ts or for more information contact Lake County Chair Dee Cuney at 707-235-2902.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County had a drop in unemployment in February and has shown particularly strong job growth in certain categories over the past month and year, according to the state’s latest report on employment.
The California Employment Development Department’s report showed that Lake County’s unemployment rate for February was 6.6, down from 7.3 percent in January and the 7.6 percent reported in February 2016.
Based on historical data provided by the Employment Development Department, February’s 6.6 percent unemployment rate appears to be the lowest for the month of February in more than 27 years.
California’s February unemployment rate was 5 percent, down from 5.2 percent in January and 5.6 percent in February 2016, according to the report. The unemployment rate is derived from a federal survey of 5,500 California households.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent for February, down from the 4.8 percent in January and 4.9 percent the previous February.
The Employment Development Department said nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,676,100 in February, a net gain of 22,900 jobs, up from the 15,300 new jobs reported in January, according to a survey of 58,000 businesses that measures jobs in the economy. The year-over change, February 2016 to February 2017, showed an increase of 315,800 jobs, up 1.9 percent.
The federal household survey estimated the number of Californians holding jobs in February was 18,190,000, an increase of 14,000 from January, and up 254,000 from the employment total in February of last year.
The number of unemployed Californians was 966,000 in February – down by 22,000 over the month, and down by 102,000 compared with February of last year, according to the report.
With February’s job gains, the Employment Development Department said California has gained a total of 2,489,500 jobs since the economic expansion began in February 2010.
Lake County’s civilian workforce in February totaled 29,660, with the number of unemployed totaling 1,960. That’s compared to 29,560 workers and 2,150 unemployed in January, and 29,220 individuals and 2,210 unemployed the previous February.
Lake County’s total farm jobs increased by 16.5 percent in February, followed by durable goods with 15.4 percent; wholesale trade and information, both at 8.3 percent; and state government, 5.6 percent, the state reported.
The report showed decreases in jobs in industries including nondurable goods, 13 percent; mining, logging and construction, 9.4 percent; and goods producing, 6 percent.
In year-over comparisons, the subcategory of durable goods showed a jump in new jobs of 66.7 percent, or a growth in the number of jobs from 90 in February 2016 to 150 last month. Other notable job growth for the year was seen in total farm, 12.5 percent; financial activities, 8.3 percent; and educational and health services, 6.6 percent.
The Employment Development Department said seven of California’s 11 industry sectors – trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; construction; information; professional and business services; educational and health services; and other services – added a total of 30,800 jobs in February.
Four industry sectors – mining and logging; manufacturing; financial activities; and government – reported job declines over the month, down a total of 7,900 jobs. Manufacturing posted the largest decrease over the month, down by 4,000 jobs, followed by financial activities, which fell by 2,200 jobs.
In a year-over-year comparison, from February 2016 to February 2017, nonfarm payroll employment in California increased by 315,800 jobs, a 1.9 percent increase, the state said.
Nine of California’s eleven industry sectors added a total of 328,300 jobs year-over. The Employment Development Department said the largest job gains were in educational and health services, up 89,100 jobs, a 3.6-percent increase, and leisure and hospitality, up 48,900 jobs, a 2.6 percent increase.
Other sectors where the report said California added jobs over the year were construction; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; other services; and government.
Two industry sectors – mining and logging, and manufacturing – posted job declines over the year, down a total of 12,500 jobs. Manufacturing employment fell by 9,600 jobs, down 0.7 percent, while mining and logging was down by 2,900 jobs, an 11.2-percent decrease.
The report said San Mateo County held onto the lowest unemployment rate statewide, 2.8 percent, while Colusa County finished last, with a rate of 22.8 percent. Lake County’s 6.6-percent rate earned it the No. 31 ranking.
The Employment Development Department also reported that there were 405,196 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the February survey week, compared with 386,875 in January and 388,417 in February of last year.
New claims for Unemployment Insurance were 43,499 in February, compared with 62,201 in January and 42,281 in February of last year, the state reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson will host a community town hall to discuss the latest from Washington, DC this week.
The town hall will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Kelseyville High School’s Tom Aiken Student Center, 5480 Main St.
Community members who have questions about what's happening in Washington are invited to come, get more information and offer input.
With Congress considering a number of crucial matters – including health care, national security and tax reform – Thompson will offer his perspective and hear from constituents. All who attend will have the opportunity to ask a question or share their thoughts.
On the topic of health care, Thompson was an outspoken opponent of the recently pulled American Health Care Act. He also recently co-authored a new bill to make health insurance more affordable for families in high cost areas.
The Saturday town hall is part of a busy visit for Thompson to Lake County. Later that day, he’s scheduled to host his 26th annual ravioli dinner at Boatique Winery.
Community members planning to attend the afternoon town hall are asked to RSVP to 707-226-9898 or
Email Elizabeth Larson at
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) is inviting the public to help identify trails that will be part of a U.S. Forest Service effort with partners and volunteers to increase the pace of trail maintenance.
Nationwide, the Forest Service will select nine to 15 priority areas among its nine regions where a backlog in trail maintenance contributed to reduced access, potential harm to natural resources or trail users and/or has the potential for increased future deferred maintenance costs.
Region 5 manages more than 16,000 miles of trails enjoyed by 16,100,000 users each year. In Region 5, volunteers and partner groups contributed more than 178,000 hours in maintenance and repair of nearly 2,984 miles of trails last year.
“We are counting on our fellow Californians to help us identify where maintenance is needed,” said Randy Moore, regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region. “The forest visitors who enjoy these trails year-round are the best source of information for what’s needed on the ground, and we’re counting on their expertise and willingness to help.”
Region 5 has until April 15 to submit at least three regional proposals to National Headquarters. Those proposals will be weighed against proposal submitted by other Forest Service regions.
The trail maintenance effort is outlined in the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act of 2016 and aims to increase trail maintenance by volunteers and partners by 100 percent by the end of 2021.
The selected sites will be part of the initial focus that will include a mosaic of areas with known trail maintenance needs that include areas near urban and remote areas, such as wilderness, are of varying sizes and trail lengths, are motorized and non-motorized, and those that incorporate a varied combination of partner and volunteer approaches and solutions.
The Forest Service manages more than 158,000 miles of trail – the largest trail system in the nation – providing motorized and non-motorized trail access across 154 national forests and grasslands.
These Forest Service trails are well-loved and highly used with more than 84 million trail visits annually, helping to support mostly rural economies.
The Forest Service receives widespread support from tens of thousands of volunteers and partners each year who, in 2015, contributed nearly 1.4 million hours – a value of about $31.6 million – in maintenance and repair of nearly 30,000 miles of trails.
However, limited funding compounded by the rising cost of wildfire operations, has resulted in less than 25 percent of Forest Service trails meeting all of the agency’s standards for safety, quality recreation and economic and environmental sustainability. The remaining trails meet standard to varying degrees.
To provide ideas and suggestions on potential priority areas and approaches for incorporating increased trail maintenance assistance from partners and volunteers, contact your local Forest Service office or Regional Trail Program Manager Garrett Villanueva at
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with Olof Cellars and artists Jennifer and Anna Sabalone with their show "Perspectives," a mother and daughter's view of the world, on Friday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 8, 4 to 7 p.m.
The $15 ($12.50/per person for studio club members) wine sampler featuring appetizers by Vintage Deli Station, will showcase Olof's white 2014 Nebbiolo paired with a Rachel Panini sandwich bite, 2011 Nebbiolo with a chicken, bacon and creamy brie wrap roll, 2013 Signature (red blend) with fresh mozzarella on focaccia with tomato and basil pesto, and the 2011 Barberic (Barbera) with a gluten free cherry chocolate bread pudding recipe from Cindi Olof.
The Olof's planted their first vines in the Lake County Appellation in 2000 and began making wines under their own Olof Cellars brand in 2009.
With a view looking out over the Big Valley AVA and Mt. Konocti to the East, their St. Olof Vineyard estate is sited on the bench of a coastal mountain foothill that hosts two types of soil, gravelly clay and clay loam, which well suit the Barbera, Nebbiolo, Malbec and Petit Verdot varietals grown there.
Three acres of the estate is also planted to the rare Lenoir varietal (red fleshed fruit), and is under contract to KAZ Wines.
Eric Olof is an adventuresome vintner and has dared to craft uncommon and unexpected wines such as their rosé of Barbera, a white Nebbiolo and a sparkling "method champenoise" Nebbiolo. They have two new blends, Marlbera (Malbec and Barbera), and Signature, a 50/50 blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera.
Artist Anna Sabalone returns to the Wine Studio alongside her mother Jennifer Sabalone, with a special display of works that explore the different creative perspective each artist has of the scene or subject they are viewing.
Jennifer Sabalone moved to Lake County from the Los Angeles area when she was 13. A graduate of Clear Lake High School, she received her BA in art and a secondary teaching credential from California State University, Fresno. She married shortly after college and moved back to Lake County where she and her husband raised their three children.
As a stay-at-home mom, there were always art materials available to her children. Sabalone became a 4-H leader and in that capacity encouraged the area youth to engage with the arts and enter their creations in the Lake County Fair.
In 1999 she accepted an art teaching position at Upper Lake Elementary School and taught there for 13 years. During that time she took watercolor and pastel classes at Mendocino Junior College from Lorraine Brady Arthur.
While teaching, Sabalone was fortunate to be able to show her students' work almost every year at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport. Inspired by the majesty and beauty of nature, she finds that Lake County offers endless subjects for representation.
Anna Sabalone was born and raised in Lake County. She has been involved in the Lake County Arts Council since her teen years.
She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Leeds, England for her undergraduate degree in English, history and anthropology. She earned her teaching credential and Masters of Education from UCSB and has been teaching art, English, history and Academic Decathlon at Upper Lake High School since 2008.
Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artist's shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m., and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.
The Sabalone duo art show will be on display for the full month of April.
For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.
