LAKEPORT, Calif. – The fifth outing for the music and comedy show “Lake County Live!” will take place on Sunday, May 27, at 6 p.m. at the Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport.
The program is live in the theater and on the air, broadcast and streamed on Lake County Community Radio KPFZ 88.1 FM and www.kpfz.org .
Host and show creator Doug Rhoades advised this month's program will feature music by the Lake County group Blindspot, and native flute player Kevin Village Stone with classical guitarist Lindy Day.
The usual cast of characters, including “Ladies of the Lake,” will return as well.
“Those who have been in the theater or heard the show on the air know that we're live radio the way it used to be years ago,” said Rhoades, “which means lots of music, lots of laughs and an occasional goof here and there. But the audience has been very appreciative and supportive.”
The show is broadcast live the last Sunday of each month from the theater, and features talented musicians, performers and players from all around Lake County.
Tickets for the upcoming Sunday show are available at the Soper-Reese box office, 275 S. Main St.; the Travel Center at 1265 S. Main in Lakeport; or online at www.soperreesetheatre.com .
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County's newest casino is opening this week, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
Running Creek Casino will open to the public at 4 p.m. Friday, May 25.
The casino is located at 635 E. Highway 20 in Upper Lake.
The 33,000 square foot casino is an enterprise of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, and houses 349 slot machines and six table games.
“The road has been long and the obstacles too numerous to count, but we are finally here, excited and proud to open the doors to the public,” said Tribal Chairperson Sherry Treppa. “We want this establishment to be more than just a gambling hall.”
She continued, “Our vision is for visitors and local residents to see this as a place to come for dining and entertainment, as well as a local meeting place for Lake County clubs and organizations. We know there are other casino properties in the area to choose from, but we want to differentiate ourselves by offering more in terms of customer service, cleanliness, and hospitality.”
In addition to gaming, Running Creek Casino features the Hot Springs Express restaurant, offering quick, made to order menu selections such as burgers, sandwiches and salads.
A second dining option is Wildfire, a 65-seat full service restaurant with patio dining featuring quality American cuisine and a wood burning pizza oven.
Running Creek’s On the Rocks is a full service bar that highlights a variety of cocktails, beers and wines by the glass, as well as an array of appetizers to compliment any drink selection.
Other amenities include the Running Rewards player’s club and multiple meeting rooms.
Running Creek’s official grand opening is set for Friday, June 1, but the tribe and project management team made the decision in response to popular demand to open the casino on May 25, just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Private ceremonies for the tribe, local dignitaries, and VIP guests will take place in the morning, with the doors opening to the public for gaming and dining at 4 p.m.
The casino will then continue to stay open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
“I am proud to represent this tribe whose eternal hope and unrelenting determination not only brought this project to fruition in Lake County, but did so in a cooperative, respectful and professional manner,” said Treppa. “The tribe could not be more pleased about the new jobs we have created in our community through this project and the positive economic impact Running Creek will provide for area businesses.”
She added, “This business venture will bring the tribe one step closer to economic self-sufficiency. Moreover, it will enable us to engage in additional business enterprises in the future.”
The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake are a federally recognized tribe historically located in Upper Lake California.
In 2008, they were able to place 11.24 acres near their historic tribal lands into trust, which allowed them to create a gaming enterprise.
The casino construction project began in 2004 and was approved by the Department of the Interior in August of 2011, as well as through a state compact signed in March of 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Last Friday, on the stage at Santa Rosa’s Center for Spiritual Living, a moving ceremony took place.
Hundreds of people gathered for Canine Companions for Independence's graduation, watching as the efforts of breeders, puppy raisers and trainers came to their four-legged fruition.
As part of the ceremony, service and facility dogs, and skilled companion dogs were handed over officially to join their new families.
Among the graduates were Lake County resident Mike Curran and his new canine partner, Eddie, a facility dog.
The nonprofit CCI, headquartered in Santa Rosa, offers highly trained assistance dogs to people of all ages at no charge, thanks to the strong support of donors from around the country.
Since CCI was founded in 1975, it has placed more than 3,500 specially trained dogs across the United States, according to Jeanine Konopelski, Canine Companions for Independence’s national director of marketing communications.
Last year alone, they placed 262 service dogs, which Konopelski said was a record for the organization.
They’re also seeing an increase in demand, with many wounded veterans applying to receive the dogs, said Konopelski.
At last Friday’s ceremony, both adults and children came forward to welcome their new companions.
For people whose physical challenges have confined them to wheelchairs, service dogs – with their able bodies and huge, willing hearts – prove critical helpers, offering their new owners freedoms that they may not have had before.
New partners
Eddie is a handsome and gentle golden retriever/Labrador Retriever mix. At 2 years old, he is the biggest dog in his class of service and facility canines.
With his golden good looks and notable blaze mark down his thoughtful face, Eddie would stand out in any crowd.
But he’s special for a whole range of reasons, and it’s Curran’s goal that Eddie’s special gifts will be put to good use here in Lake County.
Unlike some of his classmates, Curran – a longtime member of Lake County law enforcement – doesn’t have physical challenges which Eddie will assist him in meeting. Rather, Eddie is going to be his partner in programs that aid children in need.
First, there are several months of bonding and fine-tuning ahead for the new duo, as well as CCI followup training.
Then, Curran retires in August from his job with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
From there, it’s on to a new career for Curran as a volunteer with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, with Eddie by his side.
Eddie will accompany Curran during interviews in the county’s multidisciplinary interview center, a special facility located behind the District Attorney Victim-Witness Division in Lakeport.
There, children victims of crimes are interviewed in safe and comfortable surroundings. Curran, who has spent years investigating crimes against children, said Eddie can help provide a comforting presence for children as they recount traumatic events.
Several District Attorney’s Office staffers attended the Friday graduation to show their support for Curran and to give Eddie a warm welcome.
Curran also is working to establish a “Courtroom Dogs” program to Lake County. That program – which brings dogs into the courtroom to offer comfort to children who must testify in criminal cases – already has the support of some of Lake County’s judges.
Eddie and Curran also will volunteer in local schools, where they be featured in the “Reading with Rover” literacy program.
“Reading with Rover” encourages children to read, out loud, to the dog. As Curran explains, children who struggle with reading excel in the program because they feel comfortable with the dog, who sits and listens, without judgment.
Eddie won’t be the first CCI dog to come to Lake County. John and Katie Eels have had CCI dogs, most notably Nasa, a facility dog, and Patch, a hearing assistance dog.
A special path
Eddie was specially bred by CCI, and then raised by Ted and Carole Oare and their twin daughters Christina and Stephanie Lynn of Everett, Wash.
Ted, Carole and Christina Oare traveled to Santa Rosa from Washington – an area rich in CCI puppy raisers – to take part in last week’s graduation ceremony, going on stage to hand Eddie to Curran.
“It takes a whole family to work with one of these dogs,” Carole Oare explained.
According to CCI, “Assistance dogs aren’t just born, they’re raised.”
Puppy raisers like the Oares take specially bred pups like Eddie into their homes and families, socialize them and take them to obedience class, and give them a great deal of love.
The Oare family worked with Eddie for a year and a half before returning him to CCI last November. The Oares acknowledged how difficult it was to give Eddie up.
For the last six months, Eddie has been in facility training, according to Erin Powers, the instructor in Eddie and Curran’s service and facility class.
According to CCI, the training course includes two three-month semesters, during which they fine-tune basic obedience commands, learn more advanced commands and experience working in different environments, and are screened to make sure they are truly suitable for the work.
The team training is two weeks, during which the dogs and their new handlers learn to work together. That culminates in the graduation.
Curran said CCI did a great job of pairing him with Eddie, who in just a few weeks has started to build a strong bond with Curran.
The newly formed pair spent a few minutes together before the Friday graduation ceremony, then Curran left Eddie with the Oares, who waited in the audience to make the formal presentation.
As Curran walked away to take his place before the ceremony, Eddie turned to watch him go.
Following the ceremony, Curran and Eddie bid farewell to the Oares. Curran thanked them for making the nearly 1,000-mile trip for the graduation. They promised to keep in touch, and exchange pictures of Eddie as he makes his new life in Lake County.
Curran said he was eager to get Eddie home to Lakeport, where wife Denise waited, eager to meet the newest family member.
Already, the work to prepare the next group of service, facility and companion dogs is under way.
As part of the ceremony, matriculating puppies and their raisers were honored and delivered back to CCI to make ready for the next step in their journey.
The Oares themselves may have left a little of their hearts behind with Eddie, their first CCI pup, but they’ve got plenty of love saved up for their second CCI dog, who they’re already in the process of raising.
For more information about CCI, visit www.cci.org .
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
On Wednesdsay Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 voted to approve and adopt the staff recommendation amendments of the “Sustainable Parks Proposal” that was introduced May 8 by State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
The budget proposal would keep open up to 50 state parks slated for closure this year while providing a stable and long-term funding solution that will keep all parks open.
As many as 70 state parks – including Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in Lower Lake – had been slated for closure beginning July 1, 2012.
The essence of the Sustainable Parks Proposal consists of providing assistance to nonprofit partners working for operating agreements for state parks and finding “new ways of working” in the parks, including allowing parks to become more entrepreneurial and allowing more personnel flexibility.
It also would access up to $173 million of existing funding sources over several years that may be appropriately used for park purposes.
Annually, funds can be up to $10 million a year of existing funds collected the Motor Vehicle Account, $21 million from the Local Assistance Program and $10 million annually from the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, and $10 million from bond money.
The Sustainable Parks Proposal now waits for the Assembly Budget Committee to move ahead with their measure.
“Closing our state parks will not save the state money,” said Evans. “However, if the administration continues to move in that direction, this proposal would prevent closures this year and develop a solution-oriented and sustainable long term funding plan to keep parks in the public trust for generations to come.”
“These are hard times, filled with hard budget choices,” said Simitian. “But I continue to think that putting a ‘closed’ sign on 70 state parks is unacceptable. It’s fundamentally ill-conceived. We can do better.”
The proposal also would give Californians voluntary opportunities to support the parks. Under the proposal, Californians could purchase a specialty parks license plate for a fee and give a voluntary donation at the time of their vehicle renewal.
“This continues to be a solid proposal that will set the financial foundation for saving our parks,” said Evans. “In the short term, we will be able to keep most of our parks open this year, and in the long run, it will help make our park system stronger and more creative.”
Last May, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that 70 parks would close due to budget cuts.
Since then, nonprofit organizations and the public, as well as local and federal agencies, have stepped up efforts to find ways to fund the parks – many signing operating agreements with the state – and the number of parks slated to shut dropped to 54 last month.
Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association also is engaged in negotiations to operate Anderson Marsh, as Lake County News has reported.
To help encourage these community efforts, the proposal would also include extending liability coverage to local and nonprofit agencies that work in partnership to manage the parks.
Evans is the author of two bills complimentary to the Sustainable Parks Proposal. SB 974 requires transparency and public involvement in future closures and a planning process to reopen parks, while SB 1078 helps focus DPR on innovative revenue generation projects.
A full copy of the eight-point ‘Sustainable Parks Proposal,’ may be found below or at http://sd02.senate.ca.gov/ .
Evans represents the Second Senatorial District, including all or portions of the Counties of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
California’s infant mortality rate has reached a record low, state health officials reported on Tuesday.
The California Department of Public Health said that in 2010, the most recent year data are available, the rate was 4.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 4.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2009.
Infant mortality is defined as the number of deaths in infants under one year of age.
The findings give California the fourth-lowest infant mortality rate among all 50 states.
“Optimal infant health outcomes are influenced by a woman’s health even before she becomes pregnant, including avoiding tobacco, alcohol and drugs, maintaining a healthful weight, and taking folic acid supplements,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, state health officer and director of the California Department of Public Health.
“Early entry into prenatal care, genetic testing to identify health risks at birth, breastfeeding, immunizations, and continuing proper nutrition through a baby’s developing years all contribute to improving infant health outcomes,” Chapman said.
In Lake County in 2010 there were 721 live births and three infant deaths. Because there were less than five deaths a rate was not assigned to Lake County, according to the agency's report.
For 2009, Lake County had 726 live births and five deaths, and that year also was not assigned a rate, based on the available data.
African Americans in California experienced the largest decline in infant mortality in 2010, from 10.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2009 to 9.5 in 2010, the agency reported.
While this is a significant improvement, health officials said racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality persist. African-American infant deaths occurred 2.3 times more frequently than Caucasian infant deaths in 2010.
The infant mortality rate among Caucasians remained unchanged between 2009 and 2010 (4.1 deaths per 1,000 live births) and dropped from 5.0 to 4.9 among Hispanics, according to the data.
Among the factors that may have contributed to the declining infant mortality rate is the decline in the percent of births born prematurely (less than 37 weeks’ gestation). The percent of births born prematurely in California declined from 10.4 percent in 2009 to 10.0 percent in 2010.
Optimal health of women before pregnancy and during pregnancy is likely to contribute to fewer babies born prematurely and to better survival rates of babies overall, the agency's report suggested.
State data showed that the United States ranked No. 31 worldwide for infant mortality; had California been its own nation, it would have ranked No. 27.
Lowest mortality is found in Luxembourg, 1.8; Slovenia, 2.1; Sweden, 2.5; Iceland, 2.5; and Finland, 2.6, according to the report.
Many California Department of Public Health programs and initiatives target reduction of infant mortality as a goal.
For information on these programs, as well as resources that can help pregnant women or women who are considering pregnancy, visit one of the Web sites listed below.
Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) joined a bipartisan block of legislators on Monday to support a sweeping state parks rescue bill he has jointly authored in the Assembly.
“It is phenomenal the amount of bipartisan support this bill has,” said Chesbro, speaking of AB 1589, the California State Parks Stewardship Act of 2012, at a news conference this morning on the grounds of the State Capitol. “It is major legislation that will change the relationship between the state and State Parks, making State Parks more self-sufficient and well-funded with sustainable revenue sources. It will stop park closures, with a net long-term savings to the state’s general fund.”
Chesbro was joined by Republican Assemblymembers Kevin Jeffries, Diane Harkey and Kristin Olsen and Democrats Jared Huffman and Roger Dickinson, plus Robert Hanna, a direct descendant of John Muir, at the news conference today, designed to demonstrate the strong bipartisan support AB 1589 has in the Assembly.
“Protecting state parks is not a Democratic or Republican issue,” Chesbro said. “State parks are important to all of California, and keeping them open and accessible is something that we can come together over without dispute. I ask my fellow Assemblymembers in both caucuses to support AB 1589 when it comes the Floor for a vote. I also urge my colleagues in the Senate and the Governor to approve this bill when it reaches them. ”
AB 1589 calls on the Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a prioritized action plan to increase revenues and collection of unpaid user fees at state parks, while maintaining the character and values of the State Park System.
It also creates a State Park Enterprise Fund and states legislative intent regarding the need for a multi-disciplinary independent assessment of ways to ensure long-term management and sustainable funding options for state parks.
Additionally, it includes provisions that authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer special fee-based state park license plates to support the park system and allow taxpayers to redirect portions of their tax refunds to the California State Parks Protection Fund in exchange for an annual state park day-use access pass.
AB 1589 also revises the factors the Department of Parks and Recreation considers when selecting state parks for future closure, requiring the Department to publicly disclose its methodology and rationale when evaluating them, and requires that park closures be considered only as a last resort after other options, including public-private partnerships, have been explored.
Legislators were joined at the press conference by Robert Hanna, a the great-great grandson of renowned naturalist John Muir, who emphasized the cultural and economic significance of California’s state parks.
“In every great accomplishment you’ll find togetherness, and I’m proud to stand in solidarity with California’s elected officials to fight for our park,” Hanna said. “I’ll forever continue my family’s commitment to protect these treasures and will continue to fight the good fight.”
AB 1589 received unanimous support in both Assembly policy committees that reviewed the bill.
It will be heard in the Appropriations Committee this week and will be taken up on the Assembly Floor after Memorial Day.
On Wednesday, the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) sued the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) over alleged environmental law violations relating to levee maintenance policies.
On Feb. 7 DFG had issued its intent to sue over the Corps' levee policies, as Lake County News has reported.
DFG claimed in its lawsuit that the Corps failed to comply with the federal Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and federal Administrative Procedure Act when it adopted a national policy requiring the removal of virtually all trees and shrubs on federal levees. The Corps developed its national levee vegetation removal policy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
The Corps’ national policy fails to account for regional variations among levees, DFG alleged. As early as 1955, the Corps encouraged and even required the planting of trees and shrubs on California levees.
Studies conducted in 1967, 1999 and 2008 by California confirm that native riparian vegetation are compatible with flood control and that such vegetation can often act to minimize damage during a flood event.
The Corps’ own studies from 1991 and 1999 also reportedly confirmed that post-damage flood rates for levees containing woody vegetation were lower than levees with no vegetation. DFG is confident that the Corps’ flood concerns can be met in a regional variation allowing this unique riparian habitat.
Only 5 percent of the Central Valley’s original riparian forest remains and the Corps’ new policy would eliminate it entirely.
In addition to providing scenic beauty and recreational enjoyment for people, riparian habitat is essential for several endangered species including Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, Valley elderberry longhorn beetle, riparian brush rabbit, Western yellow-billed cuckoo and Swainson’s hawk.
Approximately 1,600 miles of federal project levees along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and tributaries are likely to be affected by the Corps’ policy.
Several miles of federal levees in the Bay Area and Southern California would also be affected. Compliance with the new policy is estimated to cost the state up to $7.5 billion and divert funds from more significant levee deficiencies such as seepage and erosion.
Despite years of roundtable discussions between DFG, the Corps and other state, federal and local entities, DFG’s concerns over removing the riparian habitat remain unaddressed.
DFG’s mission is to manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lake County Planning Commission will consider a proposal for a new BMX park near Kelseyville as well as a project to underground utilities on a portion of Mt. Konocti.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 Forbes St., Lakeport.
At 9:03 a.m., a public hearing will be held on a general plan conformity report sought by the Lake County Department of Public Services for the BMX park.
The park would be located on a half-acre of the existing Kelseyville Park, 5270 State St.
At 9:05 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a mitigated negative declaration based on initial study for Red Lava Vineyards' plans for a small winery – 15,000 cases or less – a tasting room with retail and up to 26 special events a year at 8200 South Highway 29, Lower Lake.
At 9:45 a.m., a public hearing will be held on the Lake County Department of Public Services’ application for a general plan conformity report for the installation of underground utilities between the Riviera West Subdivision and the telecommunications tower on Buckingham Peak of Mt Konocti.
As part of the item, the commission will consider adequacy of the documents associated with a proposed mitigated negative declaration and mitigation and monitoring plan for this project.
Based on the commission's recommendation on the documents, the Community Development Department director may consider adopting a mitigated negative declaration and issuing a complex grading permit for AT&T’s application for the installation of underground utilities on Mt Konocti.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Memorial Day – Monday, May 28 – the flags of our fallen veterans will fly in display at cemeteries throughout Lake County.
Lake County Veterans Memorial-Avenue of Flags Association, with the help of local volunteers, will install the flagpoles and mount the large flags along the avenues of county cemeteries.
These flags once draped the casket of a fallen veteran. Upon the completion of the internment ceremony, the family is presented the flag.
The family has the option of donating the use of the veterans’ burial flag to the Lake County Veterans Memorial- Avenue of Flags Association.
On Memorial Day and Veterans Day the flags are flown to commemorate the memory of veterans who defended our country.
Avenue of Flags will be presented at the following cemeteries: Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport, Upper Lake Cemetery, Kelseyville Cemetery, and Lower Lake Cemetery.
Installation of flagpoles and flags will begin at 7 a.m., weather permitting, with takedown of flags and flagpoles at 4 p.m. Volunteers would be appreciated at all locations.
Further information is available from the following representatives: Upper Lake, Byron Green, 707-275-9515; Lower Lake, Dave Schober, 707-533-5843; Kelseyville, Paul Harris, 707-279-1115; and Hartley Cemetery, Lakeport, Dean Gotham, 707-350-1159.
Express your respect for fallen veterans and experience the pride of the magnificent display of our veterans’ flags. Never forget.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Wednesday estimated it will be able to deliver 65 percent of requested State Water Project (SWP) water this year, up from the 60 percent delivery estimate – or allocation – announced on April 16.
Originally, DWR projected in November that it would be able to supply 60 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet of SWP water requested, but a dry December, January and February dropped that figure to 50 percent.
A wet March and above-average reservoir storage boosted the allocation back up to 60 percent in April, and today’s increase to 65 percent is due to April’s wetter-than-usual weather.
A 65 percent allocation is not unusually low, the agency said.
Wet conditions last year allowed the SWP to deliver 80 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet requested by the 29 public agencies that supply more than 25 million Californians and nearly a million acres of irrigated farmland.
An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons of water, enough to cover one acre to a depth of one foot.
The final allocation was 50 percent in 2010, 40 percent in 2009, 35 percent in 2008, and 60 percent in 2007, DWR reported.
The last 100 percent allocation – difficult to achieve even in wet years due to pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered fish – was in 2006, according to DWR.
April rainfall was 167 percent of normal in the mountainous area between the American River and Lake Shasta that produces much of California’s water supply. The April rainfall total in the San Joaquin River basin was 137 percent of average.
Water content in this year’s sparse mountain snowpack was only 55 percent of normal on April 1, the time of year it’s usually at its peak.
Reservoir storage has been the one consistent bright spot in the water supply picture this year. Lake Oroville in Butte County, the SWP’s principal storage reservoir with a capacity of 3.5 million acre-feet, is 99 percent full (116 percent of average for the date).
Lake Shasta north of Redding, the federal Central Valley Project’s largest reservoir with a capacity of 4.5 million acre-feet, is 97 percent full (110 percent of average for the date).
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Memorial Day holiday traditionally marks the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, when many Californians head out to picnics, barbecues, and outdoor events.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds those headed out on the road to buckle up, designate a driver, and eliminate distractions.
Memorial Day weekend is a Maximum Enforcement Period for the CHP. Officers will be out on the road looking for motorists who are a danger to themselves and others.
The Memorial Day holiday reporting period begins on Friday, May 25, at 6 p.m. and runs through Monday, May 28, at 11:59 p.m.
“If you are celebrating the Memorial Day holiday, we want you to have fun and be safe,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “If you get behind the wheel, make sure you buckle up and ensure your passengers do the same. Wearing your seat belt can save your life and the lives of those you love.”
Memorial Day weekend in 2011 saw a significant increase in the number of people killed in collisions.
According to CHP statistics, there were 24 deaths statewide, a 41 percent increase from the previous year, and 60 percent of those killed were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
There were 1,367 arrests for driving under the influence statewide in CHP jurisdiction during the holiday weekend.
The CHP’s holiday enforcement effort coincides with the 2012 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign, which continues nationwide through June 3.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Upper Lake will celebrate its Western heritage at the annual Wild West Day on Saturday, June 2.
In its 19th year, the celebration features barbecue, Western wear contests, antique tractors, a parade, street dancing and even an opportunity to ride “Rocky” the mechanical bull.
The Blue Canyon Gang will perform their gunslinging Western show at high noon and again on the hour until 4 p.m.
Upper Lake is noted for its authentic Western feel with covered sidewalks, antique stores and a hotel that was a stage stop in the 1800s.
The festival is popular with the community and visitors thanks to the wide array of merchants, as well as the tri-tip barbecue and pancake breakfast by the Northshore Fire Support and the Upper Lake Community Council.
The Upper Lake FFA will have strawberry shortcake dessert and root beer floats crafted by the members of the North Shore Business Association.
Wild West Day was started in 1993 by a group of merchants and community members to help the volunteer fire department with the purchase of the jaws of life while concurrently celebrating the Upper Lake post office’s 135th anniversary.
The event has continued and is now sponsored by the Northshore Fire Protection District, the Upper Lake Community Council and the Northshore Business Association.