The cast of Mountain Vista Middle School’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” during dress rehearsal on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at Kelseyville High School in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – It’s a “tale as old as time,” and it’s been chosen as the musical that Mountain Vista Middle School will present to the public in its first dramatic production.
“Beauty and the Beast” will take to the stage in six productions between Feb. 21 and March 1.
A cast of more than 20 sixth through eighth grade students, under the direction of teacher Miranda Hobbs, has been practicing for two months for the performances. For 85 percent of the students, it’s their first time performing in a play or musical, Hobbs said.
Hobbs wears many hats, teaching seventh grade English, history, leadership, yearbook and drama. She’s done productions with students in Lake County for 11 years and her experience in dramatic presentations goes back to her childhood.
“It’s always fun to see new talent come out and them discovering themselves on stage,” she said.
What’s extra special about this performance is that this is Mountain Vista Middle School’s first play or musical production, she said.
It’s also the first year of the school’s drama program, which Hobbs said is an elective after school program that meets for an hour and 15 minutes from Tuesday through Friday. It began in September.
She said they’ve been having regular rehearsals in recent weeks that last up to two and a half hours at the Kelseyville High School Student Center, where the production will be held.
On Saturday, Hobbs and her cast members were hard at work on a daylong dress rehearsal, with the students donning ornate and beautiful costumes to bring Beast, Belle and their friends and – in some cases – opponents to bright life on the stage.
There was hair-curling, costume changes, wardrobe malfunctions, tussling with the stage’s large crimson curtain – which Hobbs had to keep reminding students to quit trying to walk through – and the effort to put on the Beast attire, or to dress up as teacups and candles.
Overall, considering that they’re less than a week away from walking out onto the stage before hundreds of audience members, the students appeared in good form and not too stressed, although some acknowledged pre-performance nerves.
“Belle,” played by 14-year-old Emmah Ely, is one of the stars of the production, as she’s the “Beauty” from the title.
Emmah said she’s been in two other productions and has enjoyed meeting and spending time with students that she hadn’t known well before. She’s headed to high school next year.
Taylor Wooldridge, 14, is in her first production. She was dressed up as a wardrobe, or Madame de la Grande Bouche.
Taylor said she loves theater and the story of the play. She also has enjoyed the choreography and being with her fellow “villagers.”
Emmah Ely and Isaac Wymer star as the title characters in Mountain Vista Middle School’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” in Kelseyville, California. They’re pictured at dress rehearsal on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at Kelseyville High School in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News. Gaston, the bad guy of the story, is portrayed by 12-year-old Todd Yadon.
Todd, who likes acting, said he previously portrayed the Ghost of Christmas Future in a production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
Gaston is followed adoringly in the musical by the “Silly Girls,” portrayed by Audrey Alexander, 13, Kylie Jorgenson, 12, and Jordan Neil, 13.
“We’re fangirling over Gaston,” Kylie explained.
It’s their first acting experience for all three, and they said they love the story. Jordin said she wanted the Silly Girl role, which she sees as easier, to get a feel for acting.
Many of the students play multiple roles, such as 11-year-old Elena Grice, whose roles include Narrator No. 1 as well as a milkmaid.
Elena said she’s enjoying herself.
“Some plays are harder than others,” she said.
She knows that because she previously was in a production of “Romeo and Juliet.”
Aliyah Vargas, 12, is Narrator No. 2.
Also a first-time actress, she said it’s a lot of work but she’s enjoying it.
“I like the costumes and everybody here, and it’s just fun,” she said.
Narrator No. 3 is Amari Wyman, 14, who has been in previous productions at other schools. This is her first year at Mountain Vista Middle School.
Ashley Alexander, 12, is “Chip,” the tiny teacup son of Mrs. Potts, and also is an enchantress. But on Saturday afternoon.
“I just love acting,” she said, dressed in her teacup attire.
“It’s more stressful than I thought it would be,” Ashley admitted, explaining she’s nervous about what her parents will think about the performance.
Valeria Rojas, 11, is playing both a spoon and a villager, and she likes the action.
She’s been in talent shows and last year was the narrator in a production of “The Lorax” at Kelseyville Elementary School.
Amaya Calvillo, 11, is Babette, the French maid who also is a feather duster when she’s under the enchantment. She said she loves musicals.
This also is Amaya’s acting debut, and so far, it’s “much more than I expected.” She explained that everyone is very nice, but she was a bit worried about her costume that she said was falling apart a bit, pointing to bits of feather scattered around the stage.
“I’m excited and nervous,” she said, and added that she was concerned that they weren’t quite ready for their stage debut yet.
At that same time, Isaac Wymer, who stars as the Beast, hopped by out of his Beast costume but wearing a crown and acting like a frog.
Turning to look at him over her shoulder, Amaya said, with perfect deadpan delivery, “This is what I mean by not ready,” adding, that they aren’t doing a production of “The Frog Prince.”
Kalysta Waldburger, 14, is in her first production, and joined when her friends did. She’s playing numerous roles – a fisherman, a village, a wolf and a fork.
She said she’s enjoying it, and that it’s been a big project for the year.
Jessica Mulka, 14, is playing both a baker and a knife, a dual challenge she’s having fun doing.
She said she thinks she’ll sign up for next year’s production, which will be voted on later this year. They’re considering either “Cinderella” or “Shrek.”
As for this year’s big show, “I think they will enjoy it,” Jessica said of the audiences who will soon fill the auditorium.
Where and when:
“Beauty and the Beast” will be performed at the Kelseyville High School Student Center, 5480 Main St.
Todd Yadon, center, stars as “Gaston,” with the "Silly Girls" Jordan Neil, Kylie Jorgenson, Audrey Alexander in Mountain Vista Middle School’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” They’re pictured during dress rehearsal on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at Kelseyville High School in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
Belle: Emmah Ely Beast: Isaac Wymer Maurice: Alex Fordham Gaston: Todd Yadon Lefou: Hunter Dowdy Lumiere: Jack Meconi Cogsworth: Rorie Rodrigues Mrs. Potts: Aubrey Catalano Babette: Amaya Calvillo Madame de la Grande Bouche: Taylor Wooldridge Enchantress/Chip: Ashley Alexander Narrators: Amari Wyman, Elena Grice, Aliyah Vargas Silly Girls: Jordan Neil, Kylie Jorgenson, Audrey Alexander Chorus/Ensemble: Kalysta Waldburger, Valeria Rojas, Marie Parlet, Jessica Mulka
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The cast of Mountain Vista Middle School’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” rehearses on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at Kelseyville High School in Kelseyville, California. Photo by Miranda Hobbs.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will consider increasing parking fines and penalties and get the midyear budget update.
The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Under council business, the council will hold a public hearing to consider approval of a resolution to update the city’s schedule of parking fines, fees, penalties and surcharges.
Police Chief Brad Rasmussen’s report to the council on the proposed resolution said that the parking fee schedule was last updated in 2009 when then-Police Chief Burke brought the parking changes before the City Council.
“Since that time there have been further increases in monies owed to both the County of Lake and the State of California depending on the parking violation cited. In addition, neighboring jurisdictions have also updated their fees to keep up with the increase in cost associated with managing and fees associated with parking citation programs. Parking complaints especially in the downtown continue to be a problem even with renewed enforcement and social media releases urging citizen compliance,” Rasmussen’s report said.
Rasmussen also will give the council the report on police statistics for 2019.
In other business, Lakeport Finance Director Nick Walker will bring to the council the second quarter financial update and midyear budget review for fiscal year 2019-20.
Walker’s report said staff is seeking an appropriation’s increase of $270,345.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council will receive the annual update from the Lake County Tourist Improvement District and a presentation from Karl Parker, mobility programs manager for Lake Links.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Feb. 4; the Jan. 30 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; approval of Application 2020-003, with staff recommendations, for the 2020 Cinco de Mayo event to be held in Library Park; approval of Application 2020-004, with staff recommendations, for the 2020 Saint Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl event on Main Street; approval of Contract Change Order No. 1 to West Coast Contractors Inc. DBA Oregon West Coast Contractors for the Library Park Seawall Replacement Project.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is holding a community policing town hall on Thursday, March 5.
The town hall will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Topics to be covered include the Lakeport Community Policing Survey, Neighborhood Watch, the police dog program, Lakeport crime statistics, officer training, security camera registration program, legislation affecting public safety, deescalation and crisis intervention, and police recruitment.
The agency’s goal is to provide the public with information about its current operations and plans to continue with community policing in the future.
The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to the department.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a feline trio of adoptable cats this week.
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
This female tuxedo cat is in cat room kennel No. 4, ID No. 13545. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female tuxedo cat
This female tuxedo cat has a short coat and green eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 4, ID No. 13545.
This female domestic short hair is in cat room kennel No. 7, ID No. 13521. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.
Female domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair has a lynx point and tortie coat and blue eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 7, ID No. 13521.
This male domestic short hair is in cat room kennel No. 44, ID No. 13520. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male domestic short hair
This male domestic short hair has an all-black coat and gold eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 44, ID No. 13520.
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.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Teachers who volunteered to get the new Middletown Unified School District Band Program off the ground in 2010 include Ami Barker, now principal of Konocti Education Center; Reikor Deacon, now retired; Patricia Jekel, the new MUSD Band director; and David Leonard, now the fifth-grade teacher at Calistoga Elementary School. Courtesy photo. MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – On Wednesday, the Middletown Unified School community took a moment to step back and recognize the tremendous efforts of teachers, parents and others to bring back the Middletown Unified School Band.
This year signifies the year that the first students – from the year the program was restarted – are now seniors at Middletown High School.
About 10 years ago there was a wonderful confluence of teachers, parents, and community members who came together as a concerned group wanting to restore the MUSD school band. An entire generation of kids had passed through the district with no instrumental music program.
They approached the school board to voice their concerns. The school board said, “Show us that this is something that the community wants and we can move forward.”
So talented musicians Ami Barker, Reikor Deacon and David Leonard, who were teachers, as well as parent Patricia Jekel started volunteering after school to teach music to students.
They asked the school board for permission to use the old instruments that had been locked in an unused portable classroom out by the agriculture department and were gathering dust, and they received permission.
Allison and Greg Rodgers did major community fundraising through open mic nights and getting the word out in newspaper articles, and at Mountain High raising over $3,000 to recondition the old instruments and to buy music books and supplies.
Calpine Corp. also has been a major donor to the program, contributing funding for uniforms, band chairs, reconditioning instruments and other supplies.
After two years of teaching children, the volunteers returned to the school board and the new band performed.
The board was unanimous in approval of a paid band instructor. Patricia Jekel was hired as the new instrumental music instructor.
Those first students have now reached their senior year of high school, and so the Middletown Unified school band is reconstructed.
At Wednesday evening’s school board meeting, a short montage of photos and video clips showed an overview from the beginning days of the program to the current year.
The video displayed that as the students moved into middle school and then high school, Jekel incorporated more of the regional programs in which other bands participate.
For example, the band now participates in the Solo and Ensemble Festival at Chico State University, the Mendo-Lake Honor Band, the Middle School Band Camp (Jump Start in Music through Cazadero Music Camp) and Christmas in Middletown.
The High School Pep Band now performs at football games and at school rallies.
Of course, there are “growing pains” with the growing program. The group said there are new opportunities that create new challenges.
The new Band Booster group that has formed looks forward to supporting the band in finding solutions to present to the board, as well as fundraising for the program.
The group said it’s thrilling that this year one of the tasks is finding a way to celebrate senior band members because it has been more than 20 years since Middletown Unified has had senior band members.
The group thanked Patricia Jekel for guiding the resurrection of the MUSD School Band.
For more information, or to help with funding support for the program, please contact Jekel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – One person was reported to have died and two others were seriously injured in a solo-vehicle wreck on Highway 20 late on Saturday afternoon.
The crash was reported just before 5 p.m. Saturday on Highway 20 at Morine Ranch Road in Clearlake Oaks.
Northshore and Cal Fire firefighters and California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched on the report of a single vehicle into a tree.
Reports from the scene described the vehicle as a dark-colored SUV.
The first firefighters to arrive at the scene reported finding one person deceased and two people with critical injuries trapped inside of the vehicle, according to radio reports.
Two air ambulances were requested, with Cal Fire dispatch reporting that REACH and CalStar would respond to a landing zone at Orchard Shores Homeowners Association.
Radio reports indicated that firefighters extricated the two surviving crash victims and they were flown to out-of-county trauma centers.
The sheriff’s office and a mortuary also responded to the scene due to the fatality, according to radio reports.
More details were not immediately available from the CHP, which separately confirmed the fatality over the air and on its online incident logs.
Additional information will be published as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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