News

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Join the fun at Middletown Art Center for the “Me, Myself & I” self-portrait exhibit on Saturday, Oct. 29, with a reception from 6 m. to 8 p.m.

Lake County residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a juried show highlighting the investigation of self in many and varied forms.

The exhibit runs through Dec. 4.

Self-portraits have a long and illustrious tradition in art. Throughout much of their careers, Rembrandt and Van Gogh had only themselves as a model. Each artist struggled with mood, perception, color and angst to capture what was in that moment.

However, a self-portrait can be more than surface representation. A self-portrait can be a glimpse into an aspect of the artist; an overriding philosophy of that artist; a nagging emotion, a glimpse of something unexpectedly discovered, an obsession.

Certainly, traditional paintings are a very viable form, but MAC hopes to push the envelope of tradition by reexamining what a self-portrait is or can become.

As part of the art exhibit, the gallery’s interactive room invites you to draw your own self-portrait on mirrored walls.

During the opening, Brian Ward will be on site with “The Mind Tree,” an interactive sound sculpture that allows participants to manipulate and control the emotional mood of their sonic surroundings. Refreshments will be available to enjoy.

The Middletown Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to promoting the arts and economic and community recovery in South Lake County after the 2015 fires.

Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 State Highway 175 in Middletown. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday; noon to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.; or by appointment.

For more information visit www.Middletownartcenter.org .

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Friends of Marymount California University Lakeside present the fall Distinguished Speaker Series, “Grape to Glass: The Past, Present and Future of Agriculture in Lake County” at Marymount California University (MCU) Lakeside campus in Lucerne.

The second of these programs is on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and will feature a distinguished panel of local experts who will discuss sustainable practices in viticulture.

A $5 donation will benefit a scholarship fund for students attending the Lakeside campus.

The presentation will include an overview of sustainable management practices, creating a financially sustainable agricultural business that maintains integrity in relationships with the community and the environment, organic and biodynamic practices, and the best ways to use and conserve water.

Taken together, these best management practices can prevent environmental damage while producing wine grapes of superlative quality.

Tracey Hawkins is a founding partner and executive winemaker at Hawk and Horse Vineyards, where she and husband Mitch farm in harmony with nature using only organic and biodynamic farming protocols to bring the best expression of Lake County Red Hills terroir to market.

Hawkins will discuss what makes Lake County special for growing wine of world class distinction and how biodynamic farming complements the natural elements which exist here.

Christian Ahlmann has 15 years of professional experience in agricultural production and business management, joining Six Sigma Ranch and Winery in 2008 as vice president of operations. The 4,300-acre ranch includes a winery, vineyards and grazing for pastured beef, lamb and pork.

Six Sigma methods include monitoring metrics at each stage of production from the planting of the vineyard to the consumption of the final product, and responding to the “voice of the customer” throughout the process.

Paul Zellman, director of education for the Lake County Winegrape Commission and a viticulture instructor at Mendocino College, will present a brief history of Lake County wine grapes and describe the probable future direction of local winegrowing.

An independent, bilingual agricultural consultant with more than 35 years of experience, Zellman works closely with North Coast winegrowers, public agencies and nonprofit organizations with the objective of bringing communities together to promote positive outcomes.

This program is sponsored by Community Development Services.

The final program on Dec. 1, sponsored by the Lake County Winegrape Commission, will be a presentation by Robert Bath, MS, CHE, professor of wine and beverage studies at the Culinary Institute of America, Napa Valley, and member of the Court of Master Sommeliers, who will feature local sources of food products paired with Lake County wines.

Additional sponsors for the series include Friends of the Lake County Museum, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, Lake County Farm Bureau, Lake County News, Lake County Publishing, Lake County Resource Conservation District, Lake County Winery Association, Middletown Mercury, R Vineyards, Sierra Club Lake Group, Shannon Ridge, and Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.

Each program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m.

The MCU Lakeside campus is located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne.

For more information and directions to the campus, call 888-991-5253 and leave a message.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A number of special events for children and families will be taking place throughout the city of Clearlake on Halloween.

On Monday, Oct. 31, children will be dressed up as their favorite superhero, ghoul, or goblin and out searching for the best candy and treats available.

The following events will take place in the city of Clearlake, according to Clearlake Police Officer Mike Perreault, the agency's traffic enforcement officer.

From 2 to 5 p.m. there will be a Halloween event at Clearlake City Hall, located at 14050 Olympic Drive. There will be costumes and candy for the children.

At 4 p.m. there will be a parade that starts at Highlands Park and travels east on Lakeshore Drive to Golf Avenue.

At the conclusion of the parade there will be a Trunk or Treat event at the Clearlake Youth Center, located at 14655 Ballpark Ave. The Trunk or Treat event will last until 8 p.m.

During the parade, Lakeshore Drive will be closed between Highland Park and Golf Avenue, Perreault  said. Golf Avenue will be closed between Lakeshore Drive and Ballpark Avenue for the duration of the Trunk or Treat event.

As always there will be trick or treating in the area of Highlands Village. During this time, Clearlake Police Department volunteers and officers will be conducting traffic control in the area, Perreault said.

Perreault offered some important things to remember for a safe and happy Halloween.

For the drivers on the roadways, reduce your speed and watch for children and pedestrians. It is a good time to check your vehicles equipment and insure that it is working properly. Check your head lamps to ensure they are working and you get a full lighted view of the roadways.

In the event of rain, check your windshield wipers to ensure that they are working properly as to give you a clear view of the roadways.

“Again, please slow down and keep an eye out for the little ghouls, goblins and superheroes,” said Perreault.

For the pedestrians and parents on the roadways, Perreault encouraged them to stay visible. Most costumes are dark and not reflective. Have your children wear a glow stick, glow necklace, or carry a flashlight.

He said parents can wear bright or light-colored clothing. Parents should also carry a flashlight. Keep your children close to you and on the edge of the roadways.

For those attending Halloween parties, Perreault said to remember one simple rule: don’t drink and drive. Have a designated driver so that everyone gets home safely.

“Let us all remember these simple safety suggestions and have a happy and safe Halloween,” Perreault said.

He said the Clearlake Police Department will have increased traffic enforcement activity on Halloween night.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Little ghosts, goblins and monsters are expected to make their way through downtown Lakeport on Friday as part of the annual Lakeport Elementary School Halloween Parade and a downtown trick-or-treat event.

The Lakeport Police Department said Main Street between First and Ninth streets will be closed from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. while the parade takes place.

Then, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., “Trick or Treat Main Street” will take place, with businesses welcoming children and their parents.

Police advised motorists to be aware of the parade route as well as the influx of pedestrian traffic during the afternoon activities and to use caution when driving through the downtown area.

Lakeport Police and Lakeport Public Works units will be on site conducting traffic controls.

Police said that the parade may be canceled due to inclement weather. If it is, the agency will issue a Friday notification to update the community.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Members of the Clear Lake Junior Horsemen were in their glory this last weekend enjoying an old tradition of camping with their families and their horses. 

A three-hour trail ride – led by Brenna Sullivan and two of her favorite endurance riding cohorts, Jennifer Whoo and Kim Ross – was the highlight of the weekend at Cowboy Camp on Highway 16.

It was a spectacular 10 mile ride through creeks and beautiful golden hills where the scorched areas, burned by recent fires, were also a sight to behold, the kind of thing you have to see to believe.

Junior Horsemen members helped get horses squared away for the evening and set up tents before enjoying a delicious meal in front of the campfire and s’mores and hot chocolate after dinner.

It was a magical night under the stars and oh…what a frosty morning! It was a wonderful excuse to get the campfire started again and nothing beats a cup of coffee by the fire on a Sunday morning.

Another member and his family joined us on Sunday for breakfast and a shorter ride  before we packed it all up to head home. 

Only a few Junior Horsemen were able to attend this first campout, but they have paved the way for many more to come. It was an outstanding opportunity for parents to bond and the fabric of the the club is beginning to reweave itself into something they can be proud of.

They are looking forward to more Junior Horsemen and their families being with them in the coming year as this becomes a regular outing.

The club also is pleased that they are acquiring a very knowledgeable and experienced group of supporters who really enjoy their time with the club. 

If you know a young, up-and-coming rider who would like to join the club, they meet on the third Monday of every month at MSquare Farms at 3150 Bell Hill Road in Kelseyville at 6 p.m.

For more information please call Helen Finch at 707-279-9400.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Finch Gardens will host an afternoon of seasonal wreath making fun on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m.

All materials will be provided and amazing refreshments will be prepared by the catering team.

All ages are welcome.

For just $25 you can take home your own personally created wreath to enjoy.

Please call early to make your reservation at 707-279-9400 or go to www.finchgardens.com .

Finch Gardens is located at 6565 Live Oak Drive, just past the church on Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville. Keep going until you see the Finch Gardens sign. They are just across the street.