Lake County News,California

Arts & Life

: Middletown Art Center; Posted On Saturday, 28 July 2018 04:20; 28 July 2018

Middletown Art Center offers a week in the arts for all ages

**GMO by Terry Church. Photo by Davis Palmer.**

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Between July 28 and Aug. 4, there’s a lot happening at Middletown Art Center, and there is something for everyone.

On Saturday, July 28, from 6 to 8 p.m., MAC opens “Issues,” a provocative exhibit of artworks that speaks to issues of global, national, interpersonal and personal relevance. From Terry Church’s GMO, to Gene McHugh’s circular paintings, the exhibit presents both perennial and contemporary conundrums.

Also on July 28 from 1 to 5 p.m., Clive Matson will lead the popular Writers’ Workshop following his Crazy Child format (www.matsonpoet.com) as part of MAC’s “Restore” project.

This is the second of 40 Restore classes, which will cycle through writing, sculpture, mixed media and printmaking workshops until May 2019.

Adults and children ages 12 and up of all artistic backgrounds and experience can join Restore classes and explore working in a variety of media or hone skills they already have. Classes are just $5. Please preregister at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore.

On Monday, July 30, “Nature & Numbers,” MAC’s second Adventures in Art Summer Camp this season, begins and runs daily through Friday, Aug. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Children ages 6 to 14 are invited to engage in a creative arts immersion focused on strengthening connections and pathways to number sense, geometry and math through visual arts activities, drumming and movement.

Nature & Numbers promises to be fun, enriching and memorable! To learn more and register your child, visit www.middletownartcenter.org/classes.

On Friday, Aug. 3, the whole family is invited to enjoy art, the farmers’ market, food, music, open mic, friends, and shopping at First Friday in Middletown from 5 to 9 p.m.

This year’s third First Friday features a Wellness Café hosted at the MAC Gallery. Practitioners and organizations that support our wellness in a variety of modalities will be present to introduce and give brief presentations of their practice. One-on-one demonstration treatments will take place afterwards at nearby Lake County Jazzercise.

On Saturday, Aug. 4, from 1 to 5 p.m., esteemed artist and instructor Sage Abella returns to offer “Re-Story,” a mixed media playshop as part of Restore.

The class will combine painting, collage and writing. Register early as space is limited and the class fills quickly.

Restore classes are $5 (with a few exceptions at $10) thanks to a grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from local organizations, businesses, and individuals. You may learn more about scheduling and preregister for all classes at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore, or find and follow the MAC on Facebook: @ARTMiddletown.

The next RESTORE class will be Extreme Papier Mâché on Aug. 18, taught by artist Christalene Loren. September through May will feature Restore classes most Saturdays.

The project will culminate with the reopening of the EcoArts Sculpture Walk at Trailside Park, and a new Rabbit Hill Art Trail.

Restore offers opportunities for both personal and collaborative artworks. Together, the community will revitalize outdoor public spaces that were destroyed by the Valley fire.

: Middletown Art Center; Posted On Tuesday, 24 July 2018 02:19; 24 July 2018

‘Nature & Numbers’ summer camp starts July 30

**Adventures in Art and Storytelling Summer Camp in June. Middletown Art Center staff.**

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown Art Center's Adventures in Art “Nature & Numbers” summer camp starts July 30, and runs through Aug. 3.

The camp will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The second session this season will be an adventure in shapes, patterns, color, rhythms, movement and beats.

The instructional staff consists of credentialed art teachers, a drumming instructor and an architect.

“All of our activities will strengthen the connections and pathways to number sense and math through the arts,” said Director Lisa Kaplan. “Both math and the arts are ways to solve problems and understand the world around us, and both are creative and fun!”

Register your child grades first through ninth for a memorable and rich immersive, cultural and creative experience in the visual arts, dance and drumming.

The cost is $125 for the week and includes materials, supplies and healthy snacks.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org/classes, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118 to register and learn more.

Sibling discounts are available as are partial work-trade options and partial subsidies for those in need of assistance thanks to Calpine at The Geysers.

It promises to be a unique and fun creative adventure, not to be missed.

: Lake County News Reports; Posted On Monday, 23 July 2018 02:10; 23 July 2018

Pawnee Fire Benefit Concert planned at the Big Valley Hall July 28

FINLEY, Calif. – The day after the Pawnee Fire broke out, members of the Big Valley Hall in Lakeport decided to help the Spring Valley community by donating use of the hall for a benefit concert.

Hall members are now extending an invitation to join them on Saturday, July 28, to help raise funds for the NCO Pawnee Fire Fund. Entry will cost $10.

Two bands have volunteered to play from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Big Valley Hall, which is located at 1510 Big Valley Rd, Lakeport at the Finley border.

Come early for some tasty dancing blues by "South County" from Sonoma County. This up-and-coming band has matched veteran musicians with a few on the younger side to energize their delivery of well loved blues standards.

Mixing it up is Sean "Mudcat" Parnell on harmonica and vocals, Jody Counter on guitar and vocals, Eric Navas on guitar and vocals, Pete Rochelle on bass, and Marcus David on drums.

Finishing up the night will be The Mark Weston Band, a cover / original rock band that.prides themselves on their melodic harmonies and ability to keep a dance crowd on the floor.

Band members have been seen around Lake County with various bands and include: Mark Weston on guitar and vocals; Kent Hayden on bass and vocals; and Fred Hartnett on drums.

Wine donated by Don Angel Cellars, Kaz Winery and Mt. Konocti Winery will be sold. Beer, soda and water will also be available. Please bring cold dishes, fresh fruit or cookies for potluck snacks.

There will be two raffle prizes of table seats to the next fire benefit at the Soper Reese Theatre on Sept. 15 with The Funky Godfather, a 10-piece band specializing in James Brown hits.

Silent auction items have been donated by local crafts people and community members. Gift certificates have been donated by two businesses new to Lakeport: TurboTech Computer and Juicy's Pizza.

This benefit is an all volunteer production by Spotlight On Productions in partnership with The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County.

Event information is on Facebook at Lake County Fire Recovery Benefits or call 707-278-7126.

: Soper Reese Theatre; Posted On Wednesday, 25 July 2018 02:13; 25 July 2018

Soper Reese screens ‘Splendor in the Grass’ Aug. 14

**Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty star in the 1961 drama, “Splendor in the Grass.” Courtesy image.**

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The touching 1961 drama, “Splendor in the Grass,” starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 1 and 6 p.m.

Entry to the film is by donation.

Written by William Inge and directed by Elia Kazan, “Splendor in the Grass” is a sensitively handled love story considered be one of director Elia Kazan’s masterpieces.

A powerful film about a small town love affair between two teenagers which examines growing pains, repressed sexuality and social hypocrisy.

Features Warren Beatty in an astonishing screen debut and Natalie Wood at her very best.

The movie is sponsored by Vivian Wilson and Jean Mead. Rated G. Run time is 2 hours and 4 minutes.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com.

: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens; Posted On Tuesday, 24 July 2018 02:17; 24 July 2018

Art in the Gardens takes place Aug. 4

**A past Art in the Gardens event in Fort Bragg, Calif. Courtesy photo.**

FORT BRAGG, Calif. – The misty sea air and rugged natural beauty of the North Coast beckon.

Make a last-minute summer getaway to the coast for the 26th anniversary of Art in the Gardens.

The day-long event takes place at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Escape the heat and spend a day roaming the 47-acre botanical garden.

More than 70 artists will display their finest work amidst the spectacular background of summer floral displays.

The event includes live art demonstrations and performances by 10 musical acts situated throughout the Gardens.

Sample an array of wines from around Mendocino County. Wine tasting tickets may be purchased on the Gardens’ Web site or at the event.

Craft brews will be available for purchase with complimentary tastings on the event lawn.

Culinary vendors will be spread throughout the Gardens — all accented by miles of natural coastal beauty.

This year’s featured artist is realist painter Sanna M. Koski.

"As a youth, admiring the beautiful realistic landscapes and portrait paintings I saw in galleries, I knew that that was how I wanted to paint: in detailed realism. I worked on my skills through frustration and joy, fascinated by the artistic process, determined to improve,” Koski explained.

Her artwork strives to capture the mood, the unique beauty, and the mystery of a person or place.

General admission tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. The cost is just $5 for children ages 6 to 16 and free for children under 5 years of age.

Wine tasting tickets are an additional $25 each, tickets include a commemorative glass and tastings from some of the best regional wineries.

Advance tickets are available on the Gardens' Web site through Aug. 3.

Proceeds from this spectacular event will directly benefit the nonprofit botanical garden and its mission to engage and enrich lives by displaying and conserving plants in harmony with our Northern California coastal ecosystems.

**Art booths will be featured at the Art in the Gardens event in Fort Bragg, Calif. Courtesy photo.**

: Ted Kooser; Posted On Monday, 23 July 2018 02:10; 23 July 2018

American Life in Poetry: My Cousin, Milton

**Ted Kooser. Photo credit: UNL Publications and Photography.**

In one of my recent columns I wrote about the importance to the overall effect of a poem of having a strong ending, and here's a fine example of that.

It's by Terri Kirby Erickson, a North Carolinian, from her book, Becoming the Blue Heron, published by Press 53.

Others of Erickson's poems are available in the column's archives at www.americanlifeinpoetry.org.

My Cousin, Milton

My cousin, Milton, worked for a cable company.
The boy I knew when we were children

had fists that were often clenched, his face set like
an old man whose life had been so hard,

it hardened him. But the man's hands opened to let
more of the world in. He sent the funniest

cards to family and friends at Christmas, laid down
cable so others could connect. Yet, he lived

alone, kept to himself much of the time, so when
his sister found his body, he'd been gone

a good while. He died young at fifty-seven, without
fuss or bother. No sitting by the bedside

or feeding him soup. He just laid himself down like
a trunk line and let the signal pass through.

American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2017 by Terri Kirby Erickson from Becoming the Blue Heron, (Press 53, 2017). Poem reprinted by permission of Terri Kirby Erickson and the publisher. Introduction copyright ©2018 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.