LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Arts Council will host its next First Friday Fling on Oct. 5.
The fling will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Main Street Gallery, 325 N. Main St., Lakeport.
The First Friday Fling will introduce the work of Ray Farrow, Ruth Morgan, Xian Yegan, Bobbie Bridges, “Cha-Cha” Thomas, Sherry Harris and Jill Taylor.
Currently showing at the gallery are Carmon Brittain, Judy Cardinale, John Hart, Bruce Vandraiss, Lois Freon and Carol Yanagitsubo.
Michael Barrish and Scott Summer will provide music and Vigilance Winery will pour its vintages. Finger food also will be offered.
This month the Linda Carpenter Gallery will feature an exhibition of art from Cobb Mountain schools.
For more information contact the Lake County Arts Council, 707-263-6658.
It’s the time of the year for school supplies, and here’s a poem by Daniel J. Langton about just one of the items you’ll need to pick up. Langton lives in San Francisco.
School
I was sent home the first day with a note: Danny needs a ruler. My father nodded, nothing seemed so apt. School is for rules, countries need rulers, graphs need graphing, the world is straight ahead.
It had metrics one side, inches the other. You could see where it started and why it stopped, a foot along, how it ruled the flighty pen, which petered out sideways when you dreamt.
I could have learned a lot, understood latitude, or the border with Canada, so stern compared to the South and its unruly river with two names. But that first day, meandering home, I dropped it.
Kay Ryan was our nation’s Poet Laureate at The Library of Congress for the 2008-2010 terms. Her poetry is celebrated for its compression; she can get a great deal into a few words.
Here’s an example of a poem swift and accurate as a dart.
Pinhole
We say pinhole. A pin hole of light. We can’t imagine how bright more of it could be, the way this much defeats night. It almost isn’t fair, whoever poked this, with such a small act to vanquish blackness.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Live! Returned to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 30, for its ninth show, featuring Lake County artists, humor and a live audience that laughed and applauded throughout the show.
Originating in the local theater, the production features local talent, both musical and humorous, with songs, skits and lots of fun as enjoyed by all in attendance, both in the theater and on the air.
The show is performed live on stage, and broadcast live on local Lake County Community Radio KPFZ 88.1 FM, and streamed live on the Internet at www.kpfz.org .
September’s show featured musical guests the Hip Replacements, including Jim Williams, Jon Hopkins, Tom Aiken and Larry “Mojo” Platz, performing a variety of blues inspired songs.
Also performing were Dale Billester, Dave Hagberg and Larry “Mojo” Platz as “The Konocti Mountain Boys.”
Surrounding the musical events, Richard Smith, Nick Reid and Doug Rhoades provided humor and a few trips into the absurd, but funny worlds of deer hunters and fishermen.
A recurring feature, “Ladies of the Lake” also returned, featuring the adventures of Lake County housewives, featuring Kris Andre, Pamela Bradley and Vicky Parish Smith.
In the audience for the show were more than 100 people, who showed their appreciation with laughter, applause and even dancing during the musical interludes.
The show is supported by the Soper-Reese Theatre, KPFZ and Lake County News.
The show will be rebroadcast on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on 88.1 FM, KPFZ.
“Tonight’s continued to provide wonderful entertainment for our local audience, by providing great entertainment from Lake County performers,” said show’s creator Doug Rhoades.
The next show will be live in the theater and on the air on Sunday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m.
Tickets are available for the next show at the theater box office, open Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and from the Travel Center, 1265 S. Main in Lakeport.
Whether in the position of actor or director, Clint Eastwood, an octogenarian, remains one of the very best in the business of making films.
Longevity has served this iconic legend extremely well. In recent years, with some notable exceptions, Eastwood has been working behind the camera.
In his last film, “Gran Torino,” Eastwood’s starring role was directed by none other than himself. But for “Trouble With the Curve,” the directing reins were turned over to longtime associate Robert Lorenz.
Playing the role of a crusty, aging baseball scout, Eastwood probably required little direction. He could walk through the part half-asleep and ad lib most of the dialogue on the fly.
Indeed, Eastwood is in fine form as baseball veteran Gus Lobel, a scout who uses his old-school instincts and intuition to assess the potential of young players laboring for obscure minor league teams.
Gus’ contract with the Atlanta Braves is due to expire, and though his boss and friend Pete Klein (John Goodman) wants him to stay on, an obnoxious front office hotshot (Matthew Lillard) is looking for any excuse to dump the old-timer.
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “Old age and treachery beat youth and skill every time.” I think this fits the storyline fairly well, except that Gus is more adept at cunning and guile than outright deceit.
But first, Gus has some major hurdles to clear. His eyesight is beginning to fail, causing him no end of distress and anxiety. Still, he needs to hit the road to assess a minor leaguer hailed as the next big thing.
Meanwhile, Pete asks the old man’s daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) to help out on what could be Gus’ last road trip. Mickey grew up around baseball but has been estranged from her dad for years.
What’s more, Mickey is bucking for partnership at her law firm and is embroiled in a big case that just might be the biggest break of her career. With the legal brass getting anxious, this is no time for a frivolous journey.
Yet, Mickey’s initial resistance crumbles and she joins her old man on a road trip so unglamorous that they stay in budget motels and frequent honky-tonk bars. But at least the bickering pair starts the slow process of reconciliation.
As you can well imagine, baseball is merely the backdrop to a story of misunderstanding and life’s regrets, along with the hurt feelings and foreseeable remorse.
In the backwater regions of the South, Gus and Mickey focus their scouting attention upon a local phenomenon named Bo Gentry (Joe Massingill), a beefy home-run hitter who recalls the towering prowess of Babe Ruth.
But, the hitting machine Bo is not a swell guy. He demeans the local peanut vendor and brags endlessly about how his career trajectory will be a magnet for willing female groupies.
On a more pleasant note, Gus and Mickey come across the handsome, friendly Johnny (Justin Timberlake), a former hot pitcher recruited by Gus who had to retire from the game after blowing out his arm. Now he’s a scout for the Boston Red Sox.
The story also needs a romantic subplot, so Mickey and Johnny start to fall for each other, even if the presence of the doting Gus may somehow put a damper on the looming passion.
While coping with physical limitations, Gus still has the knack for finding and assessing talent. He stakes his reputation on making judgments based on personal scrutiny, rather than using computer models.
“Trouble With the Curve” is an appropriate title in many ways. For one, it accurately measures the unseen problems with prospect Bo Gentry, though the cranky old scout taps into his lingering doubts with ease.
For another, Mickey and Gus can find redemption only if they get past the curveballs tossed in their direction. We develop a rooting interest in seeing things neatly patched up between them.
Hardly a novel observation, “Trouble With the Curve” is the antithesis of “Moneyball,” which celebrated the use of new technology. That “Moneyball” remains an excellent film takes nothing away from this salute to old-school virtues.
Though Eastwood did not direct “Trouble With the Curve,” he owns this picture. Here’s hoping that he can still play the role of old crank in a few more movies.
To be sure, the storyline in this film is rather expected and conventional, but “Trouble With the Curve” scores at least a solid triple right into the deepest corner of the outfield.
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
If you can’t keep up with TV shows during their original run, at least we have DVD releases that bring everyone up to date.
“The Mentalist,” still running on CBS, is the kind of show that requires your attention, particularly to details.
Just as the fifth season is getting under way, “The Mentalist: The Complete Fourth Season” follows the exploits of a California Bureau of Investigation consultant.
Simon Baker’s Patrick Jane is also a former faux-psychic obsessed with finding Red John, the serial killer who murdered his family.
In the fourth season, Patrick learns the true price of revenge and deals with the fallout from his actions of the previous season.
Yet, the unconventional Patrick continues to use his razor-sharp skills of observation and psychological manipulation to bypass the system and solve the toughest crimes in his own inimitable way.
“The Mentalist: The Complete Fourth Season” includes a special feature about how the show seeks to create the “appearance of reality” when it comes to police procedures.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
On or around the Labor Day weekend, the quality of films, particularly those in wide release, tend to be sub-par. The public realizes this, which explains why box office receipts are always lower.
The trend of inferior product continues even beyond the holiday. We should note that the umpteenth version of “Resident Evil” has just been unleashed. Enough said.
The gems are to be found in films of limited release, which means good luck finding them at the local multiplex outside of the major urban centers.
One such film is the feature directorial debut of young writer Nicholas Jarecki. “Arbitrage,” a taut and alluring suspense thriller, is so entertaining that it seems written and directed by a seasoned pro.
“Arbitrage” is a film worth finding, because more than being a truly suspenseful thriller, it is cast with brilliant actors in roles large and small.
The biggest presence of all is that of Richard Gere, whose distinguished looks, accented with silver hair and nicely tailored suits, makes him appear to be the perfect Wall Street billionaire hedge-fund magnate.
Gere’s Robert Miller, approaching his 60th birthday, is fully in command of his trading empire, living the high life in a New York mansion with his socialite wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon).
Miller is the very portrait of success in American business and family life. His brilliant daughter and heir-apparent Brooke (Brit Marling) is the chief financial officer of Miller Capital.
But behind the gilded walls of his mansion and financial empire, Miller is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading company to a major investment bank.
His personal life is also in turmoil because his delicate balancing act includes an affair with French art gallery owner Julie Cote (Laetitia Casta), a mistress far too demanding of his time and attention.
The financial problems, though, are the most immediate and troubling. Miller has borrowed $412 million from a fellow tycoon, who is growing impatient, to cover up some major losses in a Russian mining deal gone bad.
Worse yet, Miller has concealed his money problems from his daughter Brooke, who could end up on the hook for the fraud that is being perpetrated under her nose.
At home, his wife Ellen is growing restive over Miller’s infidelity and duplicity. She’s not too happy about pesky NYPD detective Michael Bryer (Tim Roth) poking into their affairs.
Unfortunately, Miller was involved in an auto accident that he is going to great lengths to cover up, using the help of young Harlem kid Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker), the son of his former chauffeur.
It would be best not to say much about the accident, other than to note that it leads to great complications for Miller’s business and personal life, particularly as the NYPD detective’s relentless pursuit really puts the tycoon in a huge bind.
There’s plenty of moral ambiguity going around on all sides. Indeed, Miller is a scoundrel, but Richard Gere plays him with so much charisma that you have to wonder if the director has misplaced his sympathy.
Then, you have Roth’s detective Bryer breaking the rules in order to pin a crime on Miller, while the tycoon pays for the services of several high-powered attorneys to game the system.
In the main, “Arbitrage” is the gripping story of a well-heeled man caught in an ever-tightening trap of his own making. Richard Gere embodies this character with passion, charisma and drive.
Gere’s performance is worthy of Oscar consideration, and that’s good reason enough to enjoy this entertaining suspense thriller.
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
If new movies prove unsatisfying, it appears that plenty of TV series are getting released on DVD at this time of year.
One of last season’s favorite new TV comedies, “Suburgatory: The Complete First Season” provides all 22 half-hour episodes plus the special featurette “Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell: Life in Suburgatory.”
The satirical comedy series centers on Tessa (Jane Levy), a witty New York City teenager who is forced to relocate to the suburbs with her dad, George (Jeremy Sisto).
Accustomed to the urban jungle, Tessa goes into culture shock, because suburbia represents to her a unique version of hell.
The updated version of “Hawaii Five-O,” now starting its third season on the CBS fall schedule, has scored a big success as a hit crime drama.
“Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season” is being released on DVD and Blu-ray, including all 23 episodes and several features, including “Aloha Action! Take 2” which highlights the show’s dramatic stunts.
Alex O’Loughlin stars as Detective Steve McGarrett – a far different head of the Five-O Unit than Jack Lord. But then, Scott Caan, a New Jersey transplant, is also a very distinctive Danny “Danno” Williams.
“Hawaii Five-O” is worth watching because the crime stories are riveting and the chemistry of the officers in the special unit is truly enjoyable.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
