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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – On Saturday, the Middletown Art Center invites the public to the debut of its new show, “Ashes to Art,” a poignant exhibit highlighting the struggles and triumphs of the wildfires challenging residents of Lake County.
The Valley fire began on Sept. 12, 2015, and became the largest and most destructive event in Lake County’s history.
“Ashes to Art” commemorates the intensity of this experience for the people whose lives were directly impacted by the fire.
The pieces exhibited express personal and universal messages of grief, pain, endurance, recovery, healing and growth.
The “Ashes to Art” reception opens with a powerhouse of visual art, music, spoken word and dance performances on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Middletown Art Center.
The exhibit will be on view through Oct. 20.
Gallery hours after Sept. 10 are Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Special openings also may be arranged by appointment by calling the center at 707-809-8118.
The reception will feature performances by The Hobos, The Peculiars, Lia and John Jennings, Hearts & Bones and a host of other local talent.
All proceeds will benefit MAC’s growing palette of programs and scholarship funds.
MAC is a project of EcoArts of Lake County, a nonprofit 501c3. The art center relies on tax-deductible donations and memberships to supplement income from classes and art sales.
Since the Valley fire, MAC has provided continuity, community and enrichment to recovering residents of Lake County.
To find out more visit www.middletownartcenter.org or call 707-809-8118.
The Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control is featuring several little dogs this week.
This week's dogs available for adoption include mixes of cairn terrier, Chihuahua and wirehaired terrier.
To meet the animals, contact Marcia Taylor, the animal control outreach technician, at 707-994-8201, Extension 103, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or contact Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller at Extension 115 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. those same days or leave a message on Fridays or weekends.
Also follow Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook for the latest updates.
Below are this week's available pets.
'Butterfinger'
“Butterfinger” is a sweet young male Chihuahua mix.
He has a short brown coat with white markings.
'Happy'
“Happy” is a young male wirehaired terrier and cairn terrier mix.
He has a white coat and a big grin.
'Latte'
“Latte” is a young male Chihuahua mix.
He has an adorable little dog with a short red and white coat.
'Steve'
“Steve” is a young male Chihuahua mix.
He's got a short tan and white coat.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and John Garamendi (CA-03) announced that low-interest Small Business Administration loans have been made available to business owners and homeowners impacted by the Clayton fire.
While there are no official estimates as to how many businesses and homeowners are eligible to receive these loans, the owners of the 203 homes and eight commercial structures that were destroyed may be eligible to receive these loans should they choose to apply and meet SBA criteria.
In some situations, renters may also be eligible to receive loans for personal property damages.
“The low-interest loans made available by the SBA will help our business owners and our homeowners repair damages to their properties so that our businesses can reopen and folks can get back into their homes,” said Thompson. “This is an important step in our recovery from the Clayton fire and I commend the SBA for their swift action to help our community get back on its feet.”
“The economic effects of a wildfire linger long after a blaze is put out,” said Garamendi. “Smart programs like low-interest SBA loans will help communities affected by the Clayton fire get back to business as usual much faster, and that’s a win-win for everyone.”
Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for nonprofit organizations and 1.563 percent for homeowners. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela .
Disaster loan information and application forms also are available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing
For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster . Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is Nov. 7, 2016. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 6, 2017.
Representatives from the SBA will be available to answer questions and assist applicants at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center, located at the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum, beginning on Thursday, Sept. 8.
Representatives will be on hand Tuesdays through Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Chapter of the California Dressage Society will present the second annual “Dancing Horses: A Dressage Festival” on Saturday, Sept. 10.
The event will take place at the Highland Springs Equestrian Center at 8900 Wight Way in Kelseyville.
Doors open at 3 p.m., with the performances beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Admission is free.
The event will feature entertaining, talented horses and their riders performing dressage to music.
Delight in the many different breeds of horses as well as the adorable miniature horses showing off their driven dressage skills.
There will be wine tasting and barbecue for purchase to enjoy while watching the show, as well as a silent auction.
For more information call 415-350-1540.
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Northshore Community Center will host its Open Mic Lucerne event from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.
There is no charge for attending or performing.
Performers are on stage with house band FOGG starting the evening at 6 p.m. with classic, heavy metal rock and roll with original numbers and covers of your favorites. FOGG and other entertainers will wrap up the evening by 11 p.m. Assistance is available with amplification.
Bands and individuals are already signing up for scheduled 20-minute set-up and performance slots. Past events have seen full venues, so sign up early. Call the center at 707-274-8779, text Peter at 707-295-5076 for your reserved time, or come and sign up beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this chance to showcase your talent. Being in the audience is great fun and free too. Music, comedy, mime, readings, and any other activity that is family-oriented is appreciated.
Room also is available for dancing and relaxing.
A spaghetti feed also is offered with traditional and vegetarian full meals available for $5.
There also will be a 50/50 raffle (you need not be present to win), fresh-popped popcorn and ice-cold beverages.
Bring the whole family. All proceeds benefit Northshore Community Center, a not-for-profit serving the Northshore's families and senior populations with on-site lunches, Meals on Wheels, personal advocacy, activities, food pantry and other services.
For more information about events, call Northshore Community Center at 707-274-8779 or stop by at 3985 Country Club Drive, Lucerne.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Soroptimist International of Clear Lake will gather for its monthly luncheon business meeting on Thursday Sept. 8.
The group will meet at noon at Howard's Grotto, 14732 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Everyone is welcome. Lunch costs $13 per person.
The agenda includes putting the finishing touches on the upcoming mystery dinner fundraiser “Sour Grapes of Wrath,” a report on the recent baby shower at The Nest and the Oct. 1 district meeting in Vallejo.
Soroptimist International of Clear Lake is part of Soroptimist International, which includes Soroptimist International of the Americas, Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland, Soroptimist International of Europe and Soroptimist International of South West Pacific. It is a global volunteer movement working together to transform the lives of women and girls.
The network of around 80,000 club members in 132 countries and territories works at a local, national and international level to educate, empower and enable opportunities for women and girls.
Projects take place all over the world focusing on issues such as violence against women, safe sanitation, displacement, education, leadership – anything that effects the lives of women and girls.
To learn more about Soroptimist International of Clear Lake and the group's activities contact Membership Chair Wanda Harris 707-225-5800 or