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LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” the latest show produced by the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport, is running through May 1.
While you may know that many of the performers from last year’s successful production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” are in this cast you might not know that most of the musicians are back as well.
Returning is Band Director Tom Aiken, long known around Lake and Sonoma counties for his piano work with blues and jazz bands, and for his performances on the harpsichord with the Mendocino Music Festival, Ukiah Symphony, Opus Concert Series, Healdsburg Philharmonia and Lake County Symphony. He’s also a retired music teacher who rocks the keyboards every night.
David Ferrario returns on bass. He’s played a number of shows locally. You may remember him from the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” He is a multi-talented musician who also plays trumpet, ukulele and the fiddle.
Scott Wise also is back on drums. Previously a drummer/percussionist with the U.S. Navy band he, too, performs with the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra, local theater groups and with the popular blues and southern rock band, Double Standyrd.
The newest member in the group is guitarist, Travis Austin. He currently performs with his guitar duo ( www.AustinandOwens.com ) around Northern California at wineries, resorts, weddings, fairs and music festivals. His current discography includes "Infinite Oasis," "Lemuria" and "Elegant Voyager."
All four of these musicians are unbelievably talented in their own right and the opportunity to see them work together is not to be missed.
And, as long as we are talking about local bands, you have to come check out one of the newest cast members, Heidi Jeffers. She is one half of the local group TAKE2. Her unmistakable voice and energized performance will have you dancing in your seat.
Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through May 1.
Tickets cost $20, $18 and $15 and can be purchased at www.soperreesetheatre.com or by calling 707-263-0577. All seats are reserved.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Upper Lake High School Boosters Club invites the community to its Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.
The event will take place on Saturday, May 7.
Happy hour starts at 4 p.m, with an enchilada dinner – complete with rice, beans, salad and salsa bar – served from 5 to 8 p.m.
There will be music, entertainment and raffles throughout the evening.
The cost will be $10 per person at the door or call Melanie at 707-349-4226 for tickets in advance.
Proceeds will benefit the club's effort to fit the Upper Lake High School stadium with lights.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – It’s been many years since many 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 at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave., telephone 707-263-4218.
The two-day course is being offered on May 24 and 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.
The volunteer instructor is Steve Hendricks, telephone 707-972-7884.
The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members.
The new curriculum was developed following a two year research study conducted by Eastern Virginia Medical School.
The course helps drivers 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.
Attendance is required but there are no tests required to pass the course.
“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, retired vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.
Many participants may be eligible for a multi-year insurance discount after taking the course. Participants are encouraged to check with their insurance agent to see if they are eligible.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and Co-Chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, introduced the Wine Excise Tax Modernization Act (H.R. 4934), bipartisan legislation to modernize federal excise taxes on wine to allow winemakers of all sizes and grape growers to create new, innovative products and keep pace with advances in viticulture. U.S. Rep. David Reichert (R-WA) joined Rep. Thompson in introducing this legislation.
“The tax code should not be an impediment to growth and innovation,” said Thompson. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce this legislation, which modernizes an outdated tax structure to allow our wine community – which produces the finest wines in the world – to keep pace with changing consumer demands in the years ahead.”
“Winegrowers across the North Coast have been focused on quality and innovation for decades,” said Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “We are grateful for Congressman Thompson’s in-depth understanding of the issues and appreciate him taking steps to support this innovation.”
Specifically, the Wine Excise Tax Modernization Act:
– Simplifies the small producer tax credit and expands eligibility to all producers: This ensures a level playing field for wineries of all sizes, while also encouraging small- and mid-sized producers to grow without fear of facing the steep phase-out of the current small producer credit.
– Increases the allowable carbonation limit for still wine to 6.4 grams/liter: The current limit is preventing wine producers from developing new products for consumers. The Tax Code should not be an impediment to innovation
– Eliminates the luxury tax on sparkling wine: The current tax rate for sparkling wine, which is significantly higher than that of still wine, was established after World War II when champagne was viewed as a luxury from France and U.S. consumption was low. It is long past time for this rate to be reduced.
– Raises the Alcohol-By-Volume (ABV) limit from 14 to 16 percent: Changes in winemaking and vineyard practices have led to a steady increase in the ABV level of table wines, but the Tax Code hasn’t kept pace with these developments.
The Wine Excise Tax Modernization Act has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2015-2016 Spiny Lobster Report Card holders to return their cards by April 30, 2016, as required by law.
The cards must be returned even if no lobsters were taken or no attempts were made to take lobsters.
Card holders should review their report cards carefully and check that the information recorded is complete and accurate.
Information collected from the cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California's spiny lobster fishery.
Any 2015-2016 Spiny Lobster Report Card holder who fails to return their card(s) by April 30 will be charged a non-return fee of $21.60 upon issuance of a Spiny Lobster Report Card in the subsequent fishing season.
Otherwise they may choose to skip one fishing season to be able to purchase a spiny lobster report card the following season at no extra cost.
If multiple spiny lobster report cards were purchased, please report all cards, including lost cards, to avoid the non-return fee when purchasing a spiny lobster report card next lobster fishing season.
Spiny Lobster Report Card data can be submitted either online at www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing or by mail to CDFW – Lobster Report Card, 3883 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Law enforcement officials from around Northern California and Lake County community members dedicated Sunday to giving a Lake County Sheriff's deputy a heartfelt welcome home.
The body of Deputy Jake Steely was brought home Sunday afternoon via a miles-long procession of police and fire agency vehicles.
The procession was the long unwinding of a shattering week for Steely's family, friends, and his brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community, who honored the 39-year-old father and husband and his work as an officer and deputy with a mix of deep affection, pride and protectiveness.
On Monday, Steely and his 11-year-old son were rescued from the ocean at Mendocino Headlands State Park. It has been reported that Steely was mortally injured trying to save his son from the water.
That same day Steely was flown to Enloe Hospital in Chico, where he remained in intensive care.
By Thursday afternoon, however, doctors had determined he was brain dead. But Steely's death would end up saving more lives, as it has been his wish that his organs be donated.
On Sunday at around noon, Sheriff Brian Martin reported that he and group escorting Steely and his family left Chico.
A larger contingent of law enforcement agencies waited to join the procession at Williams, where ladder trucks held a flag over Highway 20.
From there the procession moved quickly westward, through the hills and over Highway 20's winding route, toward home.
The group of dozens of law enforcement vehicles arrived at the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 53 east of Clearlake Oaks shortly ahead of the scheduled time of 2:30 p.m. before turning south to travel around the lake through Lower Lake and Kelseyville, on the way to Lakeport.
Agencies represented came from all over Northern California, including police, fire, sheriff's offices, California State Parks, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol and the US Forest Service. Among them was the Redwood City Police Department, an agency where Steely was reported to have accepted a job offer. Patriot Guard riders on motorcycles also accompanied the procession.
Lining the route were hundreds of Lake County residents, many holding signs and American flags.
In downtown Lakeport, preparations for Steely's passage through town had begun early Sunday morning, when Boy Scout Troop No. 42 placed American flags along the route on Main Street.
About an hour before the procession arrived, two ladder trucks parked on either side of Main Street at Third Street, flying a large American flag that whipped in the unseasonably cold, sharp wind.
Well ahead of the procession's arrival, downtown Lakeport filled up quickly, with people spilling into the streets.
When the procession neared, a REACH air ambulance hovered overhead, signaling its arrival from a distance.
It took close to 10 minutes for the approximately 113 vehicles – all but about six of them were police and sheriff's cruisers and fire trucks – and nearly 30 motorcycles traveling with the procession to pass under the American flag on their way to the final point in the route, Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.
A public funeral for Steely is expected to take place later this week. Details are still forthcoming.
Accounts to help Steely's family are receiving donations online at https://www.gofundme.com/29y4dxk4 , and at Mendo Lake Credit Union in Lakeport under the name “Deputy Jake Steely Family.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
