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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A recently formed nonprofit foundation is taking on the work of making up the Lake County Fair's loss in funding resources from the state.
The Lake County Fair Foundation was created in the summer of 2015.
The foundation's board includes President Ruth Stewart, and members Jane Alameda, Janeane Bogner, Chuck Doty, Annette Hopkins, Ed Robey and fair Chief Executive Officer Debbie Strickler. Erica Illg, a 4-H member, is an honorary junior member of the foundation board.
Strickler said Bogner and Hopkins also are members of the fair board, with their role to help ensure continuity between the fair and foundation boards.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Lake County Fair Foundation's stated mission is to “support the Fair by assisting with special projects including beautification and enhancement of the fairgrounds and creating and expanding the Fair's education programs along with marketing and fundraising support.”
Strickler explained that the Lake County Fair, which began in 1949, is not, by definition, a “county fair,” but a district agricultural association – the 49th District Agricultural Association, to be precise.
“Lake County Fair is an economic engine generating tangible benefits beyond the educational, cultural and agricultural tradition,” according to a 2012 report from the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Fairs and Expositions.
That report said the Lake County Fair generated $10.4 million in spending in 2012, and created the equivalent of 68 jobs that generated $2.3 million in labor income.
The Lake County Fair was part of the network of California fairs that generated more than $3.1 billion that same year, economic activity that benefited the local, state and global economy, according to the report. So far, reports on more recent years have not been made available.
Bogner said the state's fairs had drawn funding from horse racing. Strickler said that, at one time, satellite wagering was available at the Lake County Fair's grounds.
In a 2003 report, the California Department of Food and Agriculture reported that the fair was receiving $150,000 from a licensing fee on wagers placed on horse racing, which was allowed through a 1993 constitutional amendment.
Despite the importance of fairs to the local and state economy, during the recession the state of California began cutting back on certain areas of spending, fairs being one of them.
Up until 2012, the Lake County Fair had been receiving between $135,000 and $175,000 annually from the state, said Strickler. Then that funding was severely cut back.
California Department of Food and Agriculture spokesman Steve Lyle said state general fund support was taken away from fairs in the 2011-12 fiscal year.
Since then, Lyle said the Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Fairs and Expositions has supported the smaller- to medium-size fairs with 20 to 25 percent or their original full allocation.
The Division of Fairs and Expositions also experienced deep cutbacks. It went from 20 to four permanent employees as a result of the state cutbacks, Lyle said.
In the 2015-16 state budget, California's smaller- to medium-size were granted continuous allocation support – 25 percent of the original allocation – and funds for training, which Lyle said amounted to between $2,000 and $3,000 per fair.
Lyle said the horse racing funds were diverted back to the California Horse Racing Board. While the Division of Fairs and Expositions still receives a small portion of those funds, Lyle said the division isn't sure how those funds are allocated to the racing board.
The changing economic times have continued to prove a challenge for fairs around the state. “Fairs are fighting to stay alive right now,” said Strickler.
The California Fairs Web site said there are 78 fairs in California.
While times have been challenging at the fair level, Lyle said, “No fairs have closed or that are proposed to close.”
Finding new funding alternatives
When the larger funding amounts stopped coming from the state after 2012, the Lake County Fair had to find ways to move on without it, Strickler said.
In response to the cuts, the Lake County Fair laid off two full-time maintenance staffers – it now makes do with part-time staff and volunteers – and took other cost-saving measures while trying to find new revenue. Strickler is the only full-time employee on staff.
Strickler said the other key impact of the funding reduction was a lack of infrastructure maintenance.
“We were doing emergency repairs,” she said.
The fair's key revenue sources currently are rentals and events, said Strickler.
After the state cut off its funding four years ago, the fair had to significantly raise its rates, which previously had been subsidized, said Hopkins.
“It was really difficult,” said Hopkins, explaining the groups who had been using the fairgrounds felt the fair was the bad guy in the situation.
Keeping events on a regular basis is key. While the fair continues to host many events, this year it lost a major one – Congressman Mike Thompson's annual spring fundraiser dinner, which has been moved to another venue.
This past year, the fair – as it had been in 2012 – served as a Cal Fire command post, this time for the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires.
While the state reimbursed the fairs for the grounds' use, it still resulted in high utility costs that the fair had to cover, Strickler said, plus the need to replace the sod on the baseball field, where equipment had been parked.
The presence of Cal Fire for several weeks also necessitated canceling the Mexican rodeo and some of the racing events that were to have taken place at the Lakeport Speedway, also located at the fairgrounds racetrack, Strickler said.
The foundation's formation emerged as a way of involving the community in supporting the fair.
Doty said that while people love the fair – which has been a part of Lake County's annual cycle of events for nearly seven decades – they don't realize what it takes behind the scenes to keep the fair going.
As for what the fair's current needs are, a capital expenditure strategy is being created which will help guide the foundation's fundraising, Strickler said.
Strickler said the grounds were painted last year and the doors on Phil Lewis Hall already have been replaced thanks to a donation from the Lakeport Rotary Club.
This past year the state gave the Lake County Fair $245,000 to replace entry doors on buildings throughout the fairgrounds, Strickler said.
She said watchdog agencies will be monitoring how the fair spends that money, and overall the fair must still follow the state's strict financial reporting guidelines.
Foundation members also note that any money the state gives it can take back, while the state can't control what the foundation raises.
The foundation is still in its infancy, but already has raised more than $18,000, with about a third of that coming from Erica Illg, a Kelseyville 4-H member who sold her goat at the 2015 Lake County Fair's Junior Livestock Auction for nearly $5,300.
Another $10,000 came from Lake County Rising through the Wine Alliance to help 4H and FFA members impacted by the Valley fire.
The foundation is pursuing various fundraising avenues, including sending out letters seeking donations from businesses and community members.
They also are recruiting charter members, with annual dues to create another revenue stream. Membership levels are lifetime, $3,000; business, $400; family, $300; nonprofits, $150; individual, $100; and junior, $25. Dues for 2015 will continue through 2016, Strickler said.
Strickler said the foundation board decided its first big project would be the renovation of bathrooms in Phil Lewis Hall, which at 10,000 square feet is one of the county's largest rental facilities. The new bathrooms are estimated to cost $25,000.
The foundation's first fundraiser event, which will support those bathroom upgrades, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, in Phil Lewis Hall.
Strickler said the foundation plans to hold a reception when the bathrooms project is complete.
“We're taking one need at a time,” said Doty.
He added that they want to have a regular annual fundraiser on April 1.
The foundation board also is planning a barbecue picnic and membership meeting on July 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds, and Strickler said the foundation can accept donations of volunteer work and time.
The Lake County Fair Foundation Board meets on the second Monday of every month at 9 a.m. The next meeting is March 14.
Donations and membership fees can be mailed to the Lake County Fair Foundation at P.O. Box 967, Lakeport, CA 95453. The foundation's tax identification number is 47-4060372.
For more information or to join call the Lake County Fair at 707-263-6181.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – One young cat is waiting for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.
This young male domestic short hair has a white coat with gray tabby markings.
He's in cat room kennel No. 80c, ID No. 4366.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.
All adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Upper Lake Unified School District Board will carry out more business to establish key positions and duties within the new district's administration when it meets early this week.
The board will meet in closed session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, before opening the public portion of the meeting at 5 p.m. in the library/student center at Upper Lake High School, 675 Clover Valley Road.
Action items include approval of the memorandum of understanding between the Upper Lake Union High School District and the Upper Lake Unified School District relating to the responsibility for the business manager for the new district.
Sue Milhaupt, who currently holds that title with the Upper Lake High School District, has been selected to be the new district's business manager as well, with no additional pay over the next several months, until the unification process is complete.
Also on the agenda are separate resolutions authorizing Dina McCrea, the new district's administrative assistant, and Milhaupt to sign documents on behalf of the district. At the last meeting, the board gave signing power to interim Superintendent Patrick Iaccino.
The board also will receive reports from Milhaupt and Becky Jeffries, the chief business official of the Upper Lake Union Elementary School District, and Iaccino.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Kiwanis Club of Lakeport has purchased 2,500 tree seedlings for planting in the Cobb area, devastated in last year's Valley fire.
These forest trees will be provided free of charge to the community on Saturday, March 5, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Cobb Mountain Elementary School, 15895 Highway 175.
The distribution will last until 1 p.m. or until all of the trees have be given out.
These trees are appropriate for planting in the Cobb Mountain area.
The club will provide up to ten seedlings per person, or a maximum of 20 per family.
According to Kiwanis project coordinator and forester, Jim Harvey, “These trees are fragile and should be planted immediately. Planting instructions will be provided with the trees.”
The Saturday distribution will culminate a week of activity at the Cobb Mountain Elementary School.
The Kiwanis Club of Lakeport, in conjunction with members of Cal Fire, will be on campus visiting the gardening classes to discuss the need to reforest the community and provide a hands-on tree planting demonstration.
At the end of the school day on Friday, March 4, each student will receive two seedlings to take home along with planting instructions.
This is the third project of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport to assist those impacted by the Valley Fire.
The first project distributed 124 backpacks filled with school supplies at each school in the county where students displaced by the fire were in attendance.
The second provided 50 fleece jackets to students at Coyote Valley Elementary in Hidden Valley and Cobb Mountain Elementary.
The Lakeport club received financial support for all of these projects from Kiwanis Clubs in Oakland, Alameda, San Jose and Petaluma, as well as the Kiwanis Cal Nev Hi Foundation.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, a sandwich board sign is set up on the sidewalk of the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, which sits at the corner of Third and Church streets.
The sign announces the afternoon giveaways on those days by the Kelseyville Food Pantry, a partnership of the Kelseyville Presbyterian, Kelseyville Methodist and the Unitarian Universalists of Lake County.
The pantry is about to celebrate its fifth year of operation, with the volunteers planning a celebration on March 8.
Begun in the depths of the Great Recession, the need that has fueled the pantry's creation shows no sign of slowing down, according to organizers.
In fact, the need continues to grow, said Kelseyville Presbyterian Pastor Steve Nesheim, whose church hosts the twice-monthly giveaways in its fellowship hall.
Kelseyville Presbyterian Church Secretary Julie Berry called the food pantry's numbers for 2015 “gratifying and sad all at the same time.”
During 2015, the food pantry fed 4,700 people with a total of 1,600 bags of groceries, Berry said.
The annual statistics Berry shared showed the food pantry served an average of 391 people per month, or an average of 196 people per giveaway.
The food pantry spent $7,200 on food in 2015, which breaks down to $45 per bag of groceries distributed, Berry reported.
The giveaway numbers are highest in the winter months – January, February and March – as most workers are not in the fields and vineyards as yet, and heating bills are higher overall, according to Berry. The slower months are September, October and the first part of November, when people are working more in local agriculture.
Berry said the food pantry did two giveaways of turkeys and chickens over the holidays, and supplied fresh produce from the Kelseyville High garden all summer long.
In addition to the resources offered by the food pantry's sponsoring churches, donations of funds and food come from private individuals. At Kelseyville Presbyterian, one way church members participate is by bringing certain food staples on specific Sundays.
“People are real generous,” said Oleta Simpson, one of the stalwart volunteers who keeps the giveaways going on in orderly and efficient fashion.
Local organizations also have played a significant role in funding the food pantry.
The Lake County Hunger Task Force gave the food pantry a $1,200 grant, Simpson said, and for three years running, Sutter Lakeside Hospital has awarded the food pantry a $5,000 grant, with the most recent check arriving in November. In December, the pantry also received $2,000 from the Wine Alliance.
Nesheim said the food pantry's efforts are assisted by a group of dedicated bargain hunters who do the shopping, to make the donated dollars stretch the farthest.
Many helping hands
Simpson and husband Rich are among the cheerful and dedicated volunteers who greet people visiting the pantry twice monthly.
Many of the volunteers, like the Simpsons, and Bill and Maggie Magoolaghan, have been with the food pantry since the beginning.
A group of about a dozen volunteers gathered early on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 26, to set up tables, put out supplies and get ready for the distribution.
A line of people waited outside the church well before the doors opened at 3:30 p.m.
Just before they welcomed guests inside, Nesheim and the group of volunteers stopped, formed a circle, held hands and prayed.
Nesheim prayed for those they would help that day and looked forward to a time when the food pantry's services would no longer be needed.
When food pantry clients arrived, they checked in at a table where Madelene Lyon greeted them, asked for their name, the number of people in their family and where they were from, with the answers generally Kelseyville or, sometimes, Lakeport.
People of all ages – from babies to seniors – visit the giveaways.
Volunteers take the clients “shopping” – ushering them through the tables, circled in the middle of the Kelseyville Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, to pick out the items they want and need.
It's a practiced process that is carried out without judgment, with the goal of blessing each person that comes in. Each client is greeted warmly, addressed by name and treated with dignity.
As the food pantry has continued to operate, the volunteers have gotten to know the people they serve. When guests arrive, those who have visited before are recognized, greeted, asked about how they're doing. Volunteers stop and listen, make eye contact, smile, and offer genuine hospitality.
Nesheim urges those who volunteer to leave their judgments behind, explaining that you cannot second-guess the choices made by a person in need.
“We operate on grace,” Nesheim said.
Volunteers say that the food pantry has sensitized them to a group of people who they may not have paid attention to previously.
“For the most part, these folks are working poor or retired and they are very grateful for what they've received here,” said Nesheim.
On Jan. 26, the tables were laden with cans of vegetables, fruit and soup, with other offerings including boxes of macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, beans, bread, hot dogs and eggs.
Tables nearer the door were heaped with potatoes, lettuce and oranges.
The bonus table includes random items that have been donated in supplies small enough that there isn't enough for an entire table, like juice, oatmeal and instant potatoes, personal supplies like deodorant and toilet paper, or occasionally clothing items like hats and socks. Visitors may each choose one item from that table.
At Christmas, a knitting group that meets at the church donated handmade scarves and gloves for children, according to food pantry volunteers.
Still another little table had small bags of dog food, and on the corner of the table was a picture of the late Walt Lyon, well-known Kelseyville resident – and husband of Madelene – who died in 2015.
The dog food table was his idea, the volunteers explained. That day, it was one of the items gone the quickest.
Madelene Lyon recalled how the idea for the dog food table got started. She said husband Walt was at a food pantry giveaway one day and spotted what he thought was a can of dog food on the bonus table. He picked it up to look at it, but realized it was a can of beans.
He felt there needed to be dog food on hand for their guests, and he went about ensuring that it was added to the offerings. And, in memory of his efforts and concern, his picture remains on the dog food table, a good-hearted patron saint of the four-legged set.
Food pantry volunteer Nancy Horne sat on a chair along one of the fellowship hall's walls, cradling an adorable baby girl wearing a crocheted cap whose young mother was going through the pantry line. As Horne talked to her, the baby's face blossomed into a smile, just as her mother arrived, also smiling, to collect her for the trip home.
While the food pantry is open from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., most of the food is generally given away within the first 30 minutes to an hour, according to volunteers.
On Jan. 26, they served 49 people in 16 minutes, a new record. Nesheim noted that at the end of the month, the need often is the greatest.
That day's distribution totaled 89 bags of groceries for 254 people, Berry said.
Two weeks later, at the Feb. 9 food pantry giveaway, it was another large crowd. This time, a woman brought her dog.
That day's offerings included pasta, meat, canned tomatoes and vegetables, rice, tuna, soup, bread, onions, cereal, potatoes, apples and oranges. The dog food table was once again fully stocked.
After the previous event, in which the tables had emptied quickly, this time the volunteers had prepared by putting out more food.
The early February event wasn't as busy as the previous one. It served 44 people in 16 minutes, compared to the 69 in 15 minutes helped on Jan. 26, and gave out a total of 64 bags of groceries for 244 people.
Once again, there was a large group of volunteers ready and waiting to make the event go smoothly.
“If it wasn't for everybody showing up like this we'd being a heap of trouble,” said Oleta Simpson.
Simpson guessed that the unseasonably warm early February weather was responsible for fewer people coming out, adding they can't predict just how many people they may need to serve from one giveaway to another.
Jim Horne, a Kelseyville Presbyterian Church member and another of the food pantry's dedicated volunteers, was busy that day keeping an eye on the supply levels in the church's storage room.
Horne noted that, after the holidays, the food pantry is usually well-stocked.
However, as they slip into summertime, supplies become thinner. He said at that time of the year it seems like the need tends to be forgotten.
“We get down to pretty sparse,” he said.
The next giveaway is Tuesday, Feb. 23.
For information about donating to the food pantry or receiving assistance, call Kelseyville Presbyterian Church at 707-279-1104. The church is located at 5340 Third St.
Donations also can be sent to the food pantry in care of Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, P.O. box 310, Kelseyville, CA 95451.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Animal Care and Control shelter is bursting at the seams this week with all sorts of dogs, big and small.
This week's adoptable dogs include mixes of Alaskan Malamute, boxer, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, mastiff, pug, Shar Pei, terrier and pit bull.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
'Spencer'
“Spencer” is a Labrador Retriever-pit bull retriever mix.
Shelter staff said said he has a lot of love to give and can't contain himself.
He's in kennel No. 2, ID No. 2382.
Female terrier mix
This female terrier mix has a short tan coat with white and black markings.
She's in kennel No. 4, ID No. 4419.
Terrier mix
This male terrier mix has a short brown and white coat.
He's in kennel No. 5, ID No. 4418.
Pug-terrier mix
This female pug-terrier mix has a short tan coat.
She's in kennel No. 6a, ID No. 4341.
Pug-terrier mix
This female pug-terrier mix has a short brown coat.
She's in kennel No. 6b, ID No. 4342.
Female pit bull terrier mix
This female pit bull terrier mix has a short brown brindle coat with white markings.
She's in kennel No. 8, ID No. 4457.
Male German Shepherd
This beautiful male German Shepherd has an all-black coat.
He's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 4470.
Mastiff-Labrador Retriever mix
This male mastiff-Labrador Retriever mix has a short all-black coat.
Shelter staff describes him as “a big lover.”
He's in kennel No. 10, ID 4370.
Female terrier mix
This female terrier has a short tan coat.
She's in kennel No. 12, ID No. 4417.
'Balto'
“Balto” is a male Alaskan Malamute with a medium-length multicolor coat.
Shelter staff said he has no issues with food guarding and does well with both male and female dogs. However, he is a dominant male who needs an owner that is knowledgeable around this breed of dog. Containment and fences at least 6 feet tall are necessary for this breed.
He would most likely do well with kids 10 and above, shelter staff said.
Balto is in kennel No. 13, ID No. 4310.
Female terrier mix
This female terrier mix has a short tan coat.
She's in kennel No. 14a, ID No. 4415.
Female terrier mix
This female terrier mix has a short tan coat.
She's in kennel No. 14b, ID No. 4416.
Male Chihuahua mix
This male Chihuahua mix has a short tan coat.
He's in kennel No. 17, ID No. 4466.
Pit bull terrier-Shar Pei mix
This male pit bull terrier-Shar Pei mix puppy has a short brown and white coat.
He's in kennel No. 18, ID No. 4459.
'Hewy'
“Hewy” is a male German Shepherd mix with a short tan coat with white and black markings.
Shelter staff said he was surrendered by his owner who did not have the time or patience to train him. He needs a good, fenced in yard and lots of love and attention.
He's in kennel No. 20, ID No. 4460.
Male pit bull terrier mix
This male pit bull terrier mix has a short gray and white coat.
He's in kennel No. 21, ID No. 4432.
Male Doberman Pinscher
This male Doberman Pinscher has a short brown coat with tan markings.
He's in kennel No. 23, ID No. 4461.
Boxer mixes
These male boxer mixes have a short coats – one brown, one tan – with white markings.
They are in kennel No. 24, ID No. 4304.
Labrador Retriever puppy
This male Labrador Retriever mix puppy has a short black coat with white markings.
He's in kennel No. 28, ID No. 4423.
Female pit bull mix
This female pit bull mix has a short brown brindle coat with white markings.
Shelter staff said she loves cuddles and attention, and does very cute play bows.
She's in kennel No. 29, ID No. 4337.
Labrador Retriever mix
This handsome male Labrador Retriever mix has a short brown coat.
He's in kennel No. 34, ID No. 4427.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at