Lake County News,California

Arts & Life

: Editor; Posted On Tuesday, 05 June 2018 03:26; 05 June 2018

Clean & Sober Music Fest planned for June 9 and 10

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – Experience clean and sober fun at the first-ever substance free music festival in Northern California.

The Clean & Sober Music Fest will be held at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, from noon until 7 p.m.

Seven fantastic bands will get the crowds dancing under the summer sky. This community gathering offers picnicking and camping as well.

Concert producer and promoter Jeffery Trotter has been sober for 21 years. He was artistic director of Shakespeare at Stinson for 20 years and has long felt the need for a substance free environment for music festivals.

“It was clear that the time had come for a festival created for people who want to go out and have fun without mind or mood altering substances. We are putting on a wildly fun event where everyone can feel comfortable knowing they are with others who are also clean and sober,” he said.

The stellar line-up features musicians Stefanie Keys Band, Kevin Griffin & Laughing Buddha, Lorin Rowan’s Deep Blue Jam, The Cole Tate Band, Clean Sweep, the Bay Area’s favorite comedian, Michael Pritchard; and just added, rocker Tommy Odetto.

Michael Pritchard is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Time for his ability to use humor to inspire and educate his audiences on life skills. The legendary funny man has shared the stage with Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey and Whoopi Goldberg.

Tommy Odetto recorded his sophomore release, Curses and Revelations, at Studio 606, home of the Foo Fighters. The first single, “Runaway,” dropped in late March and has been featured in both Relix and Billboard magazines. A fifth-generation resident of Marin County, Odetto feels blessed to spread the power of music through Rock and Roll.

Stefanie Keys Band Indie Rock Artist Stephanie Keys, based in Northern California, toured with Big Brother & The Holding Co. for 5 years. A magnificent musician in her own right, she delivers a powerful blend of Southern Rock and 60s Rock with a deep, soulful edge.

Kevin Griffin & Laughing Buddha Musician, Buddhist author, teacher, and a leader in the mindful recovery movement, Kevin Griffin will join in for a meditation practice, talk and clean and sober jam with his band Laughing Buddha.

Lorin Rowan and Kirk Casey’s Deep Blue Jam Funky, fun and full of soul, Deep Blue Jam is a mandolin based Americana/ Rock/Reggae/Jazz/Bluzegrass/Jam Band.

The Real Sarahs Mendocino locals, this trio of women, who are all named Sarah, enjoy the magic that is created by voices in harmony, acoustic instruments, and the energetic connection between artists and audience.

The Cole Tate Band Cole Tate and his band, a long time Bay Area headliner, offer non-stop dance music with a variety of originals and covers. The music is rockin’ Americana with flavors of Blues, R&B and Country.

Clean Sweep Seasoned musicians from Lake County with an unbeatable groove of R&B, Funk, Jazz and Boogie Woogie Blues.

The Clean & Sober Music Fest is a special opportunity to celebrate the sober lifestyle surrounded by a community of substance free music fans. All fellowships are welcome. Twelve-step meetings will be held before and after the shows.

Tickets on sale at Eventbrite: $25 in advance ($30 at the gate), or $21 each for groups of 10 or more. Ages 12 and under free. Visit festival website or ticket link for camping rates and details.

For more info please call 415-578-0125 or visit www.csmusicfest.org.

: Ted Kooser; Posted On Monday, 04 June 2018 03:19; 04 June 2018

American Life in Poetry: The Wall

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

To honor the memory of the thousands who died in Vietnam, here's a poem by Bruce Guernsey, who divides his time between Maine and Illinois, about Maya Lin's memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Wall

Someone has opened a giant map
and with the tips of our fingers,
each of us suddenly blind,
we track the black cold of this monument
for names we know
like finding a route home.

Lost here
this damp spring morning,
the cherries exploding like the fourth of July,
we wonder how many maps of Viet Nam
sold those years,
so many strange sounding places.

One of us holds a magnifying glass
to McCarroll, McMorris, McNabb,
small print in the polished stone,
the way a neighbor, say, in Neoga, Illinois
might have done, late at night
searching that faraway land on his kitchen table,

hearing again the morning paper
thump against the front door,
that boy on his bike in the dark
grown and gone—what was his name,
that kid from down the block?—
Khe Sanh, Da Nang, Hanoi.

– for PFC William "Willie" Searle

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 Bruce Guernsey, "The Wall," from From Rain: Poems 1970-2010, (Ecco Qua Press, 2012). Poem reprinted by permission of Bruce Guernsey. 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.

: Editor; Posted On Saturday, 02 June 2018 23:55; 02 June 2018

Grant offered restorative arts for fire survivors

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Hundreds of members of our community have had their lives touched by the fires that have ravaged our county in the last few years.

We all know someone who has experienced the fear and the sudden trauma of fire. But unfortunately, the resources available to our family and friends have been limited; especially resources that address the emotional distress that can remain after the fires go out.

Sunrise Special Services in partnership with the Lake County Arts Council has moved to fill that gap with their project, “‘Restorative Arts for Fire Victims,” made possible with a mini grant from Lake County Behavioral Health.

The project assisted those traumatized by the fires to express the emotions which cannot always be conveyed in words but may be reached through community art practices and therapeutic counseling.

Janet Taylor, a certified peer, and Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster counselor coordinated with other professional counselors to facilitate art workshops that helped relieve anxiety and stress for fire victims and their families.

Artist Linda Kelly, with the Lake County Arts Council, contacted galleries to provide artists who were qualified to facilitate the classes.

The success of the project is due to the collaboration and partnerships of all the following who provided the artists: Richard Seisser, gallery coordinator with the Main Street Gallery; Lisa Kaplan, executive director of the Middletown Art Center; and Stephanie Figeroa, owner of The Art House Gallery in Clearlake.

The Main Street Gallery in Lakeport, the Middletown Senior Center, the Clearlake Senior Center and Cobb Mountain Elementary School provided locations around the county.

Counselors Barbara Nuckols, Chloe Karl, Anne Newport and Melissa Morin coordinated the first and final in the series of 20 classes to introduce the participants to the concept of art to express their emotions.

Art instructors Lisa Kaplan, Sandy Stillwell, Linda Fielding, Glenneth Lambert, Richard Seisser, Linda Kelly and Janet Taylor taught a variety of art programs which included drawing, painting, clay, collage and creative writing.

The interaction through the art experience as well as the opportunity to discuss their feelings with others who had similar experiences gave participants a sense of community support and new tools to continue the healing process.

Sunrise Special Services is a nonprofit health and social services agency. For more information 707-274-9121.

The Lake County Arts Council is a nonprofit organization providing a professional venue for the creative arts in the community. For more information contact Linda Kelly at 707-263-6658.

: Editor; Posted On Monday, 04 June 2018 03:20; 04 June 2018

Middletown’s ‘Movies in the Park’ begin June 9

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown’s monthly summer “Movies in the Park” event begins this week.

The movies, suitable for the whole family, are held beginning at dusk in the park in front of the Middletown Senior Center and Library, 21256 Washington St.

They are free and open to the public.

The summer movie lineup is as follows:

– Saturday, June 9: “Beauty and the Beast”;
– Saturday, July 14: “Coco.”
– Saturday, Aug. 11: “Peter Rabbit.”
– Saturday, Sept. 8: “Breaking Legs.”

For information about hosting a movie, contact Tanya Striedieck at Star Gardens Nursery, 707-987-0998.

: Editor; Posted On Saturday, 02 June 2018 23:57; 02 June 2018

Lake County author announces first book publication

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local authori Tamara Brigham has released her first book, “White Pawn: Book One of the Kestrel Harper Saga.”

Elyri. ágdháni. Miracle-worker. Saint. Outcast. All Kavan desires is to be normal, the harper he trained to be. But prophecy thwarts the best plans and intentions.

From the moment he meets Arlan of Enesfel, Kavan’s imagined path is overthrown by forces beyond his control.

When a man of dubious heritage assumes the crown, it falls upon Kavan to aid Prince Arlan in reclaiming his birthright. Kavan’s quest for acceptance, from others, from himself, becomes entwined with politics and Faith and not even prophecy can guarantee his destiny.

At an early age, Tamara Brigham took on the challenge of rewriting childhood stories to end as she believed they should have ended.

This passion for the creativity of words and the fluidity of language blossomed into fashioning worlds, characters and tales of her own.

The desire to explore the capacity of fantasy and science fiction to foster people’s understanding of others, of events, ideas and emotion, has culminated in the release of “White Pawn: Book One of the Kestrel Harper Saga.”

Brigham has been a resident of Clearlake for 11 years, moving from Colorado to be nearer to her West Coast family.

“White Pawn” is her first publication. The second book in the series will be available later this year.

For more information or to contact the author, visit online at www.agdhani.com.

: Editor; Posted On Saturday, 02 June 2018 03:06; 02 June 2018

Big Valley Hall rolls out Rock & Reggae Fest June 10

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County and beyond is invited to the Big Valley Rock & Reggae Fest on Sunday, June 10.

You can join the fun between noon and 5 p.m. at the Big Valley Hall, 1510 Big Valley Road between Finley and Lakeport.

Children of all ages are welcome. Ages 12 and under are free, 13 to 21 cost $5, and children from 22 to 99-plus cost $10. Bring your ID if planning to drink.

This outdoor festival will feature three bands plus crafts by local vendors and stores, horseshoes and activities for children. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs so you can relax under the trees near the orchards, and bring cash for refreshments and shopping.

The afternoon will begin with a groovy repertoire of classic rock by Lake County's own "Without a Net." An up-and-coming reggae band from Cobb and Ukiah, "Rising Signs" will be vibing on stage between 1 and 3 p.m.

From 3:30 to 5 p.m., "Weekend at Bernie's" will bring their classic rock and R&B stylings from Santa Rosa. You may remember the soulful voice of lead singer and keyboardist Adam Bernie from his days with Levi Lloyd.

You can hear band interviews this week on Lake County community radio KPFZ 88.1 FM. Members of "Without a Net" will meet with Deb and Q for "Rockin' the Lake" on Wednesday, June 6, between 3 and 5 p.m. Lex Krauss of "Rising Signs" will call Doc's "R&B Review" on Tuesday, June 5, between 3:30 and 4 p.m. Adam Bernie of "Weekend at Bernie's" plans to chat with Pop on his "Lost Treasures" show, which airs from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 7.

In the Kids Corner near the back tree, there will be face painting by Cabernet's Canvas, self-protection demonstrations by Damsel in Distress, and gifts and jewelry for all ages by Tina's Jewels.

Activities being coordinated by Children's Museum of Art & Science include: making pinwheels, giant bubbles, bean and print art. Children of all ages can also put on glitter tattoos, practice their coloring or play under the water sprinklers.

For those needing some down time, Aquarian Body Harmonics will be offering chair or table massages behind the tree at the end of the listening area.

Local vendors will be selling tie dye clothing, skin care items, jewelry, pottery, home decorations and gift items. You'll also be able to meet two new stores from Kelseyville: Lost Coast Leathers and the Tripp Shopp, also a sponsor for the event.

From Middletown Hardester’s, Shift Manager Monna Hull will be selling her handmade jewelry. Due to the recent fire that demolished the store, store employees and their immediate families can attend at no cost. They should bring a store ID or other proof of employment to the gate.

Big Valley Hall will be selling vegetarian chili, beef hot dogs, nachos, cole slaw, fresh fruit, cookies and water. Refreshments will be sold for Hope City and will include soda, powerades, beer and wine. Local wine will be sold from Kaz Winery, Mt. Konocti Winery, Parducci Wine Cellars and SIP Mendocino.

This is the 11th fire benefit produced by Spotlight On Productions in partnership with The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County along with community volunteers.

Proceeds go to NCO for Hope City to purchase supplies to rebuild homes lost in the 2015-17 fires and to Big Valley Hall for renovations to enhance future events.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-278-7126.