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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A 4.1-magnitude earthquake was reported Thursday evening in Napa County.
The quake occurred at 7:53 p.m. at a depth of nearly five miles, according to the US Geological Survey.
Its epicenter was located 6 miles east northeast of Yountville, 9 miles north of Napa and 14 miles northeast of Sonoma, the US Geological Survey said.
Officer Anna Paulson of the California Highway Patrol's Napa office said despite a bit of shaking – which she felt at the CHP offices while teaching a Start Smart teen driving class Thursday night – everything appeared to be OK in Napa County, based on reports from the field.
Hundreds of shake reports were submitted to the US Geological Survey from around Northern California, with some Middletown residents also reporting that they felt it.
Napa County sustained major damage Aug. 24 when a 6-magnitude quake hit the area.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission this week held a preliminary discussion on a teenager's proposal to introduce a graffiti wall into the city in order to reduce vandalism and tagging.
The commission took about a half-hour to work through its brief agenda on Tuesday evening. Commissioner Dirk Slooten was absent.
City Manager Joan Phillipe presented the graffiti wall item to the commission.
She said the idea originally was made to the council, which referred it to the planning commission – which also sits jointly as the Clearlake Parks and Recreation Committee – to make a proposal back to the council.
“You may have noticed that there has been a significant amount of graffiti recently popping up around the city,” she said.
Councilman Bruno Sabatier was contacted by a 17-year-old Oscar Frias, who suggested a local graffiti wall.
Frias was not able to attend the Tuesday meeting, but Sabatier was on hand to show the commission a brief video presentation that he assisted Frias with preparing.
Phillipe said that Frias' proposal is to allow an art graffiti wall in order to try to reduce the types of graffiti appearing around town.
She said there are other communities throughout the nation that have done something similar and are seeing some success.
Phillipe said she discussed the proposal with Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen, who indicated that his agency is interested in having input on the proposal if a recommendation is made to the council so that it doesn't create any additional problems.
In his video, Frias said such graffiti walls have reduced gang graffiti in other communities, and he showed pictures of graffiti walls in Denver and Sacramento.
He said the projects bring people together, and show that parks have culture and are open to a variety of people. Such walls also are constantly evolving and an infinite source of expression, he said.
Possible locations Frias suggested are the skatepark and basketball courts in Austin Park and the youth center at Redbud Park.
Due to technical difficulties, the commission had to huddle around Phillipe's laptop to watch the video, which is shown in the meeting video above.
Sabatier said that guidelines for the walls include not allowing three things – profanity, gang signs and nudity.
Commission Vice Chair Cheryl Hutchinson said a graffiti wall in Santa Rosa had stopped graffiti tagging on the underside of an overpass. She also cited successes in other communities.
If such a wall will bring the community together and give children an artistic venue – rather than defacing businesses and other facilities – “I'm all for it,” Hutchinson said.
Commissioner Bill Perkins asked how to keep taggers from painting other places than they are now, especially if – as in some cases with other graffiti walls – the art isn't painted over but becomes permanent.
Phillipe said that, as she understands it, when parameters are set forth for such walls, it develops respect among young people, who then gravitate to the walls.
If the commission recommends to the council that it should allow and support a graffiti wall, Phillipe said the parameters would have to be made well known and the site monitored.
“Who on your staff has time to monitor it?” asked Chair Carl Webb.
Replied Phillipe, “That's a very good question.”
She said it would have to fall to a current city parks staffer, suggesting it could be one of the city's temporary employees. “It wouldn't necessarily be every day.”
Phillipe also suggested that it could be managed under the adopt-a-park program the commission recently recommended to the council. In that case, someone who wished to take on the wall would work with city staff to monitor it.
Webb said he had concerns about a graffiti wall at Austin Park, since it's frequented by families, and he raised concerns about the need for constant monitoring.
“Once you have them running around with spray paint and things, how do you direct it to the murals or the spots where you want them to have it, not just tagging everything along the way?” Perkins asked, adding it would be interesting to see how other areas are handling that concern.
Phillipe suggested that perhaps it would be of benefit for the city to contact other jurisdictions that have the walls and find out how they have promoted them and enforced the rules, and if they have support within the graffiti artist communities to help monitor the walls.
She said staff could then bring the topic back to the next commission meeting for discussion of specific examples from those other areas.
Webb said he recently traveled in Europe. “Their graffiti problem over there is a lot worse than ours,” he said, noting that there is graffiti all over, including on historic buildings.
He said a graffiti wall in Clearlake won't work without severe monitoring and he's concerned about city staff having to do it. “It really is going to be a very serious problem.”
Hutchinson asked if Frias could come to next meeting. He had reportedly been unable to make it Tuesday.
Phillipe said Slooten also sent in several photos of other walls in the Sacramento area that were fairly nice, and she said she can share those with the rest of the commission.
Hutchinson asked if it would be possible to have city businesses sign up to have graffiti artists paint the sides of their buildings to inhibit or prohibit future tagging, suggesting that they could “muralize” areas.
“Certainly it's possible, whether or not it's going to work is the question,” said Webb.
“How do you control it?” Perkins asked.
Webb also asked what would be considered offensive, adding the issue could become a quagmire.
Phillipe said those may be concerns other jurisdictions have been able to deal with, and she would get more information for the commission.
Also on the Tuesday agenda, the commission unanimously approved Robert Matthews' request for a variance to reduce the 20-foot frontyard setback to 16 feet at 16002 39th Ave.
The setback reduction is meant to accommodate the installation of a 1,344-square-foot manufactured home – measuring 24 by 56 feet – as well as a 400-square-foot garage on the 50-foot by 100-foot corner parcel, staff said.
In 2003 a single-wide mobile home was removed from the property, which has been vacant for the last 12 years, according to staff.
With no significant obstructions or negative impacts, city staff recommended the commission approve the variance with conditions, including submitting building plans and receiving a permit. A power pole in the middle of the property also will need to be replaced.
The commission approved the variance 4-0.
City Manager Joan Phillipe also gave the commission a brief status update on properties formerly held by the city's redevelopment agency, plans to carry out the Lakeshore Drive Downtown Corridor Plan and other matters that also will soon be appearing before the city council.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Put June 7 on your calendar for the date of the Lake County Land Trust’s annual spring fundraising event.
This year the venue has changed from the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville to the garden of the Blue Wing Restaurant and Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake.
The event will be from 3 to 6 p.m. with tickets costing $50 per person.
The public is warmly invited.
The event is being hosted by Bernie and Lynne Butcher, owners of the Tallman and Blue Wing, and will feature wine, hors d’oeuvres and live music by Deez Guize and other local musicians.
All funds raised at the annual spring event will support the Lake County Land Trust and its many projects in Lake County, including preservation of the Clear Lake shoreline and operation of the trust’s Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake and Rabbit Hill Park in Middletown.
Land Trust officials told Lake County News that they have been campaigning to protect and preserve one of the last stretches of the Clear Lake shoreline, specifically between the Clear Lake State Park and south Lakeport area.
The trust conducted a successful fundraising drive towards the Big Valley wetlands purchase effort and was able to raise $125,000, which combined with a grant from the state Wildlife Conservation Board, will go toward the trust’s first purchase of shoreline property.
The event will provide time to enjoy the company of fellow land trust supporters and to visit with Land Trust board members and hear updates to on-going local projects.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 707-262-0707. Payment in advance is urged or payment can be taken at the gate to the garden.
You can pay on line by going to the Land Trust’s Web site at www.lakecountylandtrust.org .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness month in California.
During the spring and summer months, State Route 20, in Colusa and Lake counties, is favored by thousands of motorcyclists, often riding in special motorcycle-related events as it is a primary thoroughfare linking Interstate 5 and US 101.
Alcohol also is commonly served at these events which can lead to deadly consequences.
To address this issue, the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake and Williams areas will conduct a joint traffic enforcement operation on State Route 20 focusing on motorcycle safety and impaired driving.
Beginning on Sunday, May 24, the CHP will have increased enforcement on State Route 20.
“We believe that driving on California roadways should be a safe and in many cases, a fun experience,” said Hector Paredes, commander of the Clear Lake Area office. “It is our mission to educate and prevent motor vehicle collisions, so we encourage drivers to designate a driver on the Memorial Day weekend and enjoy the holiday.”
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Library invites all children and teens to participate in “Read to the Rhythm” the 2015 Summer Reading Program, which begins on May 30 at all Lake County Libraries.
The Summer Reading Program encourages children and teens to read over their summer break from school.
Starting May 30 children can come to the library to register for the Summer Reading Program and receive a library game card.
Once they receive a game card participants receive credit for each library book they’ve read when they return them to the library. All participants will receive a prize.
For each participant who signs up as independent readers and reads 25 books or 1,000 pages The Friends of the Lake County Library donates a book to the library with a special bookplate inside the book commemorating the achievement.
“The Summer Reading Program is one activity that can help prevent learning loss over the summer,” said Librarian Christopher Veach. “Students who don’t participate in educational activities over the summer generally lose some of what they have learned the previous year when they go back to school. This means they start the school year at a disadvantage and teachers have to spend the beginning part of each school year on remedial education. This loss builds up over time and students who consistently don’t engage in academic activity over summer can end up falling far behind their classmates.”
Reading just five books over the summer can help prevent the loss of reading skills.
The Summer Reading Program is a great way to promote reading over the summer because children are encouraged to find and read materials that interest them.
Students read more when they can choose their own materials from a wide selection and are able to share their choices with their peers.
The Summer Reading Program helps keep children reading over summer break and helps prevent summer learning loss, while having fun.
In keeping with the theme “Read to the Rhythm” music-related events and activities will occur at Lake County’s libraries over the summer.
More details about library events and programs will be posted on the library calendar at www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Lake_County_CA__Library/Calendar.htm .
Program for children, preschool to eighth grade
Children entering preschool through eighth grade can sign up at any time during the program to receive a game packet at any Lake County Library and then read library books to earn prizes. Each participant in the children’s program will receive a prize.
The Friends of the Lake County Library will donate a book to the library with a special bookplate commemorating each “independent reader” who reads 25 books or 1,000 pages.
The children’s program ends August 1. Prizes will be presented at awards parties on Aug. 8.
Lakeport Library’s “Super Sign-up Saturday” with special crafts and fun for children will kick off “Read to the Rhythm” on May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children can sign up for the summer program at any time during the summer.
Tween and Teen Summer Reading Program
The Lake County Library invites students entering sixth through twelfth grades to participate in the library’s Tweens and Teens “Read to the Rhythm” summer reading program which also begins May 30.
Students are invited to visit the library and read for prizes as well as to take part in special music-themed events offered throughout the summer.
Beginning May 30, students going into the sixth through twelfth grade can register to attend these free events at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.
Participants also can sign up to read three young adult books during the program. Those who succeed will receive reading awards and their names will be put on commemorative bookplates inside new library books. Those who turn in book reviews will have their names entered in a grand prize drawing.
The tween/teen summer program features some special events including musical instrument crafts, Zumba, a food contest, drumming, a technology petting zoo, a field trip to a local radio station and a room-decorating project.
The “Read to the Rhythm” teen summer reading program is sponsored by the Lake County Library and the Friends of the Lake County Library.
For more information about the Lake County Library Summer Reading Program contact the main branch of the Lake County Library in Lakeport at 707-263-8817, visit the Lake County Library Web site at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and www.facebook.com/lakecountyca.gov .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This summer a talented Lake County student will return to the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan.
Julianne Carter, age 12, of Hidden Valley Lake, has been accepted and will attend Interlochen, which boasts the world’s premier summer arts program for aspiring artists grades third through 12th.
This is the second year in a row that Julianne has been selected to attend Interlochen. She underwent a difficult and competitive audition in San Francisco and was selected to study violin at the camp.
Julianne takes violin lessons from Jennifer Cho, a Julliard graduate and first violinist with the San Francisco Opera. She auditioned for and was accepted as a student with Cho last year.
“Julianne is a lovely and talented young musician with great focus and determination. It is a joy to work with such a student,” Cho said.
In addition to violin, Julianne plays and teaches piano. She plays viola and writes her own musical compositions.
Julianne is a member of three orchestras: The Napa Valley Youth Symphony, the Santa Rosa Repertory Orchestra and the Lake County Youth Orchestra.
Julianne will be traveling to Europe next year to go on tour with the Napa Valley Youth Orchestra, where she is a first violin. The group will perform in York, Dublin, Edinburgh, London and other venues during their tour.
Anyone interested in seeing this young artist perform locally can attend the Lake County Youth Orchestra's concert at the Soper Reese Theater in Lakeport on June 7 at 3 p.m. Admission is only $5.
At the June 7 concert, Julianne will perform two solos during this concert, including the Bach Minuet which helped gain her admission to Interlochen.
Interlochen Arts Camp attracts students, faculty and staff from all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries.
These 2,500 artists fill Interlochen’s northwoods campus with an explosion of creativity. Student-artists learn from world-class instructors and produce hundreds of presentations each summer in dance, theater, creative writing, visual arts, music and film.
“My teachers at Interlochen are the best in the world,” Julianne said. “We worked very hard each and every day and I learned so much. I made friends from so many different places all over the world and learned so much about music from others who share my passion.”
Among the distinguished camp alumni are Norah Jones, singer Josh Groban, members of the band OK Go, Rufus Wainwright, opera and concert soprano Jessye Norman, conductor Loren Maazel, jazz pianist Eldar, actor Anthony Rapp, cartoonist Cathy Guisewite and many more.
Approximately 10 percent of the nation’s professional orchestra musicians have roots at Interlochen and the alumni community has been awarded nearly 100 Grammy Awards.
In addition to hundreds of performances, presentations and readings by young artists, Interlochen brings leading artists and performers to the northern Michigan campus. Julianne saw Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne perform on campus last summer at Interlochen.
Interlochen Arts Camp is part of the nonprofit Interlochen Center for the Arts, recipient of the National Medal of Arts and the only organization in the world that brings together: a 2,500-student summer camp program; a 500-student fine arts boarding high school; opportunities for hundreds of adults to engage in fulfilling artistic and creative programs; two 24-hour listener-supported public radio stations (classical music and news); more than 600 arts presentations annually by students, faculty and world-renowned guest artists; a global alumni base spanning eight decades, including leaders in the arts and all other endeavors.
For information, visit Interlochen online at www.interlochen.org .