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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Julianne Carter, 11, of Middletown has been accepted and will attend Interlochen Arts Camp, the world’s premier summer arts program for aspiring artists grades third through 12th.
Julianne, the daughter of Angela and Stephen Carter, will study violin at the camp.
Julianne’s audition for Interlochen Arts Camp took place in San Francisco in January.
The camp administrators conducted auditions in Washington D.C., Detroit, Chicago and San Francisco.
Julianne played two selections for her audition, Dvorak’s Humoresque and Pedro Martini’s Gavotte.
Julianne had the rare experience of being offered immediate and “on the spot” acceptance to the program at the conclusion of her audition.
The school’s music director advised that a one month wait following the audition was the normal process for receiving notification of whether or not a student has been accepted to the program.
With regard to her acceptance, Julianne said, “I was really glad that I did not have to wait because I can start looking forward to it right now!”
Julianne is a homeschooled student who plays piano, violin and viola. She composes her own musical works and enjoys classical music.
She is a member of the Lake County Youth Orchestra and the Sonoma County Preparatory Orchestra. Julianne teaches music theory to second graders each week and enjoys sharing her love of music with other children.
Interlochen Arts Camp attracts students, faculty and staff from all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries. These 3,000 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, theatre, creative writing, visual arts, music and film.
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.
In recent years, guest artists have included Joshua Bell, Josh Groban, the Decemberists, the Avett Brothers, Olga Kern, Harry Connick Jr., Trace Adkins, Branford Marsalis and many more.
LUCERNE, Calif. – A local filmmaker is putting out an open audition call for a feature length romantic comedy to be produced in Lake County in March and April of this year.
Auditions will be held at the North Shore Christian Fellowship, 9456 Main St., Upper Lake, on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The film, “Relationship Status,” was written by Lucerne resident Richard Lee Grahn, who will serve as co-producer with Jim Zimmer of Wellsprings Productions of Santa Maria. Grahn also will direct the film.
“Relationship Status” will be shot on location in Lakeport, Clearlake and Lucerne by Wellsprings Productions. Wellsprings specializes in feature, short and documentary film production.
Grahn, 48, will be holding an open audition for men and women between the ages of 6 and 60 for supporting roles, day actors, voice talent and extras, and is interested in identifying experienced production crew members in the county.
The screenplay has 15 scripted roles and spots for 200 extras.
While people of all ethnicities and physiques are invited, there are specific roles for bilingual, Latina actresses, ages 30 to 35; white female brunettes, age 30 to 35; men, ages 40 to 50; teens; and young adults.
To audition, minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Resumes and current color headshots are requested if available. Current color closeup photos are requested if no headshot is available.
Working with a micro budget, Grahn is offering the opportunity to get into acting and work alongside experienced filmmakers but has no budget for local actors.
The film's lead will be Hollywood actor Corey Weber II, who is best known for his lead role in the short film “The Seed” and also played a Spartan soldier in “300: Rise of an Empire.”
“Relationship Status” is about a lonely man in search of love, who must first learn to love himself. His pursuit of love also strengthens his relationship with God, according to Grahn.
Grahn, who has an associate's degree from Mendocino College, has been producing short films since 2005 and studied film at San Francisco State between 2007 and 2009.
He was inspired to tackle the project after viewing the film “Flywheel,” which he learned was produced by a group of five people in Albany, Georgia.
“I saw that and said if those guys can do that in their community, I can do it in Lake County,” Grahn said.
Grahn hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams and believes that as much talent exists in Lake County as in Hollywood or New York.
“If a simple guy like me that do something big like make a feature film to play in theaters then maybe someone will believe they will go big with their dreams,” he said.
He describes himself as diligent, faithful, fearless and perhaps a tad eccentric. With three screenplays currently ready for production, Grahn said, “If I have to do them by the skin of my teeth, with only a few friends, I will get them done.”
The project is currently seeking additional financing and has interest for distribution in 10 theaters, according to Grahn.
The local contact phone number for more information is 707-262-2912.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a brand new group of cats waiting for homes this week.
The young cats include tabbies, a torbie and a black cat, with coat lengths ranging from short to long.
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.
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
Brown tabby
This brown tabby is of undetermined gender and age.
The cat weighs nearly 11 pounds, and has a short coat and green eyes.
Find the cat in cat room kennel No. 10, ID No. 39078.
Gray tabby
This gray and white tabby is of undetermined gender.
It is 3 years old, weighs 11 pounds and has a short coat.
The cat can be found in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. 39025.
Domestic long hair mix
This female domestic long hair mix cat is 9 months old.
She has a black coat, is of medium size and has gold eyes.
She's in cat room kennel No. 70, ID No. 39068.
Domestic short hair mix
This female domestic short hair mix is 2 years old.
She has torbie markings and green eyes, and is of medium size. It was not reported if she has been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 82, ID No. 39064.
Brown tabby
This brown tabby is of undetermined age and gender.
Shelter staff said the cat weighs 9 pounds and has a short coat. It appears to have lost its left eye due to an injury.
The cat can be found in cat room kennel No. 91, ID No. 39077.
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 .
Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Spring Valley community members heard an update on the project to bring cell service to their area during a Saturday morning town hall.
The meeting, held at the Spring Valley Community Center, hosted more than 50 people, who were updated by local officials and Verizon representatives.
Community members also had the chance to ask questions about the tower's design and location, and have concerns about possible health issues addressed.
Once the 4G tower building project starts later this year on a parcel located at 2589 Indian Hill Road, it's expected to last two months, according to Aaron Salars, the Verizon project manager.
The goal is to have it in place by summer. Salars said they are pushing for a June completion, or August at the latest.
Resident Helen Mitcham said the tower will be located on top of Indian Hill, and will be designed to look like a water tower. She said of the design, “It's better. It's different. It's more like Spring Valley.”
The presentation, a copy of which can be seen below, included several photos of the area with the tower drawn in.
The tower's central location means it won't need to be as tall as some towers, and it's is expected to reach most of Spring Valley's residences, according to Salars.
There are still steps in the process, including final approval from the county's planning department and a needed change to Spring Valley's covenants, conditions and restrictions, or CC&Rs.
The project began in 2012, not long after the Wye Fire, which burned thousands of acres and essentially cut the community off after phone lines were burned, as Lake County News has reported.
Spring Valley's physical isolation has been one challenge, its lack of cell service has been another, not just for residents but for firefighters and law enforcement officials, as well as Lake County Special Districts staff, according to statements at the meeting. The Wye Fire became the launching point for the concerted efforts to get a cell tower.
Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos, Northshore Deputy Chief Pat Brown and Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli were all on hand to answer questions and explain the importance of having cell communications available in times of emergency.
Both Northshore Fire and Cal Fire officials have been active in partnering with the community to move the cell tower project forward. Mitcham said the community had tried unsuccessfully to get a cell tower 10 years ago.
The water tank design was selected because it's durable and will look better than the pine tree design, which can fade over time and lose limbs during wind events, according to Salars.
“We thought the aesthetics of a water tower just fit better,” said Bob Hendrickson, who chairs the safety committee for the County Service Area No. 2 Advisory Board, and is one of the community members who has worked on the project for the last few years.
Brown explained to the group the importance of cell service for first responders. Holding up his cell phone, he said he can track all of Northshore's resources all the time “until I come to Spring Valley.”
When he's in Spring Valley, Brown said he also can't get calls from Lake County Central Dispatch, so he has to stay on the radio, and some of the district's radio channels also don't work well in the valley. Deputies often have to stop in at the district's volunteer fire station in Spring Valley just to use the phone.
Lack of cell service and its impact on Northshore Fire's medical services was a key issue for Brown.
The medical communications channel which firefighters use to contact local hospitals also doesn't work in Spring Valley. In addition, the district's state-of-the-art $40,000 heart monitor can't transmit from the valley information about patients in critical situations, according to Brown.
“We've changed the technology around here so much that the cell phone and cell service is really, really important,” Brown added.
Brown added that during the Wye Fire he kept having to drive out of the valley to make calls.
Community member Monte Winters said the change to the CC&Rs is a critical next step for the cell tower to become a reality, as the current rules don't allow a tower to be built for private communication.
The CC&Rs changes will require a ballot to go out to property owners. Mitcham said the ballots will be mailed out by Feb. 28.
At least 50 percent of the property owners – or about 450 ballots – need to be returned, and half of those, or 25 percent of the overall population, must vote yes to update the documents in order for the cell project to be finalized, Winters said.
Hendrickson urged residents to talk to their neighbors about the ballot in order to get the needed votes.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust has received a bequest from the estate of the late John Graham and has decided to donate part of that bequest to the trust’s Big Valley Wetlands project, specifically the purchase of a 31 acre parcel on the shores of Clear Lake.
The parcel is owned by George Melo, who has entered into an option agreement with the Lake County Land Trust.
The trust has raised $66,000 towards the purchase price of $225,000 and the option is valid until March 2015 after an extension of the agreement was granted by Melo.
John Graham, who died Nov. 1, 2011, spent much of his life working to preserve and protect Clear Lake.
Those efforts were largely through his generous contributions of time and money to the Clear Lake Bass Masters and the Lake County Land Trust.
Graham was a founding board member of the Land Trust and served as the organization’s treasurer for a number of years.
He also worked for the Lake County Planning Department and served on the early county committees that addressed shoreline development around the lake.
Graham was an avid and successful fisherman who spent countless hours on the lake and knew it as well as anyone.
His passing did not end his love for the county or of the lake as he made the Land Trust one of the beneficiaries of his estate.
The Land Trust board of directors has chosen to use a large portion of Graham’s bequest to advance the trust’s primary Clear Lake project – the Big Valley Wetlands project.
The trust is applying $5,000 of Graham’s gift to the acquisition of the Melo property, a 31-acre parcel on Clipper Lane near Kelseyville, and another $2,000 to go towards the Big Valley Wetlands project in general.
The contribution will help the Land Trust purchase this key property, which is near the midpoint of the stretch of shoreline the trust is seeking to protect.
The amount of the contribution will secure Graham’s memory, as the trust will honor him with a plaque in his name on the property.
“The Land Trust is honored to have known John and is proud to be able to forever link him to protection of the lake that he so loved,” said Land Trust Board member Michael Friel.
Protection of the 31-acre Melo property is part of an ambitious effort to protect the remaining wetlands and riparian forests between Clear Lake State Park and the southern edge of Lakeport.
This keystone parcel includes beautiful, native wetland and shoreline forest as well as upland wet meadow, pasture and oaks.
If you would like to contribute to this effort, please contact the Lake County Land Trust’s executive director, Catherine Koehler, at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has another mix of big and little dogs available this week for adoption.
Mixes of Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, dachshund, Chihuahua, pit bull and border collie, ranging in age from 4 months to 8 years, are in need of new homes.
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”).
Dachshund-Chihuahua mix
This female dachshund-Chihuahua mix is of undetermined age.
She's got a short red coat and weighs 21 pounds. It was not reported if she has been altered.
She's in kennel No. 5, ID No. 39034.
'Hunter'
“Hunter” is an 11-month-old Australian Shepherd-terrier mix.
He has a short brown and white coat, and has been neutered.
He's in kennel No. 6, ID No. 38981.
'Max'
“Max” is a a 3-year-old male Chihuahua mix.
He's got a short tan coat and perky ears. Shelter staff did not report if he has been neutered.
He's described as a “sweet little guy” who gets along with other dogs and is not food aggressive.
Find him in kennel No. 7, ID No. 38940.
Shepherd-border collie mix
This male shepherd-border collie mix is 8 years old.
He has a medium-length black coat with white markings, weighs 63 pounds and has not yet been altered.
Find him in kennel No. 14, ID No. 39030.
Male pit bull terrier mix
This male pit bull terrier mix is of determined age.
He's got a curly brown brindle and white coat, and weighs 26 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if he has been neutered.
Find him in kennel No. 19, ID No. 39060.
German Shepherd-pit bull terrier mix
This female German Shepherd-pit bull terrier mix is 4 months old.
She has a short tan coat, weighs 32 pounds and has not been spayed.
She's in kennel No. 25, ID No. 39050.
Pit bull terrier mix
This male pit bull terrier mix is 2 years old.
He has a short black and white coat, weighs 67 pounds and has not yet been neutered.
He's in kennel No. 30, ID No. 38943.
Male shepherd mix
This male shepherd mix is 8 months old.
He has a short black and tan coat, and has not yet been neutered.
Find him in kennel No. 32, ID No. 38962.
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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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