COLUMNS Archives – The Lake County Bloom

February 19, 2021 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 2.19.21

Happy Friday! This week, we’re excited to promote two local poets, Melissa Bentley and Sama Morningstar. Plus, we’ve got a new favorite restaurant: Live Oaks Grill. Owners Jennifer and Jamie Taylor create incredible food, and we can’t recommend them highly enough. Seriously, they’re worth visiting several times. Lastly, we’ve got some almost “normal” news. Crab […]

February 18, 2021 | By Gene Paleno

Witter Springs Chronicles: The Hitchhiker

I have written so many articles about Cleo I’ve lost count. That’s because she takes up a lot of my time and spends all her off-hours thinking of new ways to keep me on my toes. No matter. You may rest assured I shall not allow Cleo to take over my column. For one thing, she does not have the imagination to make up the stories. All that interests Cleo is playing outdoors, sleeping, getting her head scratched, petting when she wants one and getting fed. Besides, her paws will not hit the keys of my keyboard with enough exactitude to make anything read right.

February 12, 2021 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom – 2.12.21

Valentine’s Day weekend is here! I can’t think of a better excuse to celebrate locally. Whether it’s picking up a bottle of wine from your favorite winery, planning an evening in with food from a local restaurant, or picking up a gift for your loved on at one of our great local shops, it’s an excellent time for us to support our local businesses once again. This week we’re excited to share a review of a new business: Mix in Lakeport. It’s a great place to pick up a healthy smoothie. Plus, we have some Valentine’s poetry from poet Joyce Anderson for you to enjoy. So kick back for a few minutes and enjoy this week’s Bloom.

February 12, 2021 | By David Wakefield

It’s February. How’s Your New Year’s Resolution Holding Up? Give it A Fresh Start at Mix Lakeport

“We’re creating healthy alternatives for people,” Josh says, finishing up the smoothie while Margie rings up the customer. “When I discovered this, I worked at the post office, and Margie was at CVS. Hang on.” He pulls out his phone and scrolls through it. “Here it is.” He flips the screen our way, showing a picture of him with a neck brace. “I had to go through neck and spine surgery and felt terrible. But I lost 100 pounds in ten months, and feel great. Margie lost 50 pounds.” He’s bouncing around the shop, full of energy. Margie’s just as excited as Josh. “It’s a healthy café,” she adds. “We have protein waffles, protein donuts, vegan options, and a fitness and recovery menu. “We are making a healthy, active lifestyle hub. It’s more than coming in and getting shakes.”

February 11, 2021 | By Andy Lucas

Greenview Restaurant at Hidden Valley Lake: From Planning to Pivoting

Hidden Valley Lake is located in the southern part of Lake County where residents can enjoy more than a dozen amenities in and around the 102-acre lake including a semi-private 18-hole championship golf course and modern camping facilities. The Hidden Valley Lake Association supports more than 100 jobs in hospitality, private security, landscape maintenance, finance and other industries.

February 5, 2021 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 2.5.21

And just like that, Spring is back! Even though we’ve still got a few piles of snow left in the shadows, this week we picked our first manzanita blossoms from the top of our property, and hummingbirds are looking for their feeder on the back porch. I couldn’t be happier. Thanks to your contributions, we are excited to publish our first paid articles in the Bloom, a poem and powerful column by Lake County Poet Laureate Georgina Marie. And we’re looking for more writers. If you enjoy telling a good story, you might be able to make a few bucks on it. We’re currently looking for restaurant, winery, and small business reviews. For more information, click on the “Submit” button at the very top of The Bloom’s homepage. Whatever Spring is bringing to your corner of Lake County, I hope you get a chance to enjoy our gorgeous weekend.

Middletown Mail and More Owner Chanele Hellwege in front of her business

February 5, 2021 | By Andy Lucas

See A Need, Fill A Need; How an Essential Middletown Business is Supporting Community During the Pandemic

While unloading disposable surgical masks and hand sanitizers for Middletown area small businesses and nonprofits recently, we asked Chanele Hellwege why she started her shipping, packing and vehicle registration business on Hwy 175 in Middletown, she responded, “See a need, fill a need.” And that is how Middletown Mail and More got started.

February 4, 2021 | By David Wakefield

Got Some Writing Skills and Want to Make Some Cash? The Bloom is Looking for Restaurant and Winery Reviews

The Bloom seeks quality restaurant and winery reviews. If you love Lake County’s food and wine and have the ability to tell a story, get in touch with us. We’re looking for storytellers, not reporters, and consider the ability to communicate an experience of vital importance. For more information, check out our submission guidelines.

February 4, 2021 | By Gene Paleno

Witter Springs Chronicles: Hello, Cleo

Certain my cat, Cleo, was no longer among the living and was lying dead somewhere in the field, I was feeling blue. I missed my cat. For nearly three years, she had kept me company, been around to speak with, and help me write my stories. Now she was gone. However, just as I have told others, when things are tough or not going right, sometimes the best thing is to keep on going forward with your chores and not freeze up. That was what I was doing. It was time to practice what I preach.

January 29, 2021 | By David Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 1.29.21

How about some snow? This week brought some needed moisture, especially in the mountains. We ended up with fourteen inches at our place, turning it into a winter wonderland. This week we’re re-releasing an article on the Wholly Bowl, a great restaurant hidden away in Lakeport. If you haven’t been, give it a try. Jenn Allen-Malinowski is always up for a good meal and conversation. We’ve got more moisture in the forecast, so kick back with a cup of tea and enjoy your weekend.

January 22, 2021 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 1.22.21

This past week, we took our first walk of the year at Anderson Marsh State Park. It was sunny and warm, and we enjoyed our first picnic. I am thankful to live where there are many incredible outdoor adventures to enjoy safely. This week we are excited to share some good news with you. Thanks to your donations and support, we are now able to pay our writers! If you’ve got a good idea or story, send it in and see what happens. Whatever your plans are, we at The Bloom wish you the happiest of weekends.

January 21, 2021 | By Gene Paleno

Witter Springs Chronicles: A Good Day

Last Wednesday was a good day. Not that every day I can work and talk to my friends is not a good day. They are all good days. But yesterday was exceptional. I received two pieces of good news.

January 15, 2021 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom – 1.15.21

If the calendar didn’t say it was January, I would think it was already spring in Lake County! My guess is that many of us will be enjoying the great outdoors this weekend. Traditionally, our family has our first picnic of the year on Clear Lake’s shores or in the nearby National Forest, making the most of living in Northern California in the winter. This week we’re re-releasing an article on Beaver Creek Winery. If you haven’t had the chance to meet Martin and Tara, and try some of their unique wines, this might be a great time to make the trip to Middletown and give them a visit.

January 8, 2021 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 1.8.21

Happy January! The holidays are officially over. the decorations are put away leaving our homes a little more spacious than before. The best part of winter is having all of Lake County to ourselves. The pleasant, cool temperatures make it the perfect time to hike and explore your favorite outdoor spots whether it’s Mt. Konocti, Boggs Mountain, Highland Springs or Cache Creek. No matter where you live, there’s a scenic destination not far. This week we’re happy to share a review of Betty’s Tacos in Clearlake Oaks. It’s a great place and a chance to get out and take a drive around our amazing lake. Have a wonderful weekend!

January 7, 2021 | By Gene Paleno

Witter Springs Chronicles: My Helper

This year I have a helper. More and more, as Cleo grows up, she insists on being a part of whatever I am doing. When I write, she lays on the table beside my keyboard and watches the screen. Supervising and guiding me, I suppose. If she gets bored and wants to have her ears scratched, she lays her tail on my keys. She makes it look like an accident so that I must stop to pay her some attention. It is the same for whatever I am doing. When I go down to the cistern to check my well water level, there she is right behind me all the way to make sure I know my way back to the house.

January 1, 2021 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 1.1.2021

Happy New Year! Looks like we made it through 2020. . .whew. As we move into January, we’re going to start promoting local restaurants and wineries. Our first is Cache Creek Winery, a great getaway for an afternoon. And it’s your last chance to read up on the great local businesses in our Holiday Shopping Guide before it’s gone. Thank you everyone for supporting Lake County’s small businesses (including us); there’s no better place to call home. Here’s hoping 2021 is a brighter year for us all. We wish you health, happiness, and well-being in the New Year.

December 25, 2020 | By Trudy Wakefield

Merry Christmas from The Bloom!

Wherever today finds you, we hope that you are surrounded by those you love, even if it a four-legged friend. Considering today is Christmas Day, we thought you might enjoy reading one of our favorite holiday stories. “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”, a short story/poem by Dylan Thomas, tells the story of a Christmas over one hundred years ago. It’s a good way to kick back for a few minutes and enjoy the season. Plus, we’ve got more history and good news for you to peruse. We at The Bloom wish you the Merriest of Christmases. We will see you next year!

December 25, 2020 | By David Wakefield

Holiday Reading from The Bloom: A Child’s Christmas in Wales

Over the years, our family has enjoyed some Christmas reading. We’ve read through The Little Match Girl, The Elves and the Shoemaker, A Christmas Carol, Sherlock Holmes and The Adventures of the Blue Carbuncle, and many other great stories. But one of our favorites is poet Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales, which we read every Christmas Eve. It’s a beautiful story that shares Christmas memories from over one hundred years ago. If you’re looking for an enjoyable short read, here’s a link to a public domain version:http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks07/0701261h.html

December 24, 2020 | By Gene Paleno

Loneliness During the Holidays

At a time of the year, when many of us are the center of a human bee-hive of family and friends, and have work we enjoy, feelings of loneliness don’t pay us much attention. Still, there are many of our friends, who are older, or because of illness or the loss of someone near and dear to them, feel alone. They suffer more often from those great cripplers; loneliness and depression. In a world so wonderful and amazing, some may wonder why being lonely has gained such control over so many people’s lives.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INSIGHTS-page-001

December 23, 2020 | By Jim Magliulo

Commercial Real Estate Insights: What’s Hot in Lake County

Opportunity is knocking — right here in our terrific Lake County commercial real estate region. It’s a very good time to buy for a variety of investor-friendly reasons. And that means it’s also a good time to sell! The gap between Lake County commercial real estate prices and those of adjacent counties is greater now than historical patterns, and I believe that gap is going to close in the next few years. In my opinion, buying now for a ten-year investment with values that could favorably escalate in just two to three years, would be a very, very smart move.

December 18, 2020 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 12.18.20

There’s still time to support your favorite local businesses, restaurants, and wineries this holiday season. This week, we’re excited to share with you two more great local businesses! Lakeside Arts and Gifts is the perfect place to pick up a few last-minute gifts, and if you are looking for fun family nights, be sure to swing by The Game Hub to pick up something for hours of enjoyment. Plus, if you plan your holiday shopping just right, you can enjoy a scenic view of the entire county. What a great time of year to see our local communities all decked out for the Holidays! Thank you for your part in supporting the fine small businesses of Lake County. We at The Bloom wish you the happiest of holidays.

December 18, 2020 | By David Wakefield

A Perfect Place for Last-Minute Presents: Lakeside Arts and Gifts

It’s the holidays in Lake County. The pale winter sun reflects in spots and flashes off Clear Lake. A few bass boats putt along the shoreline, their owners flicking their lures into nooks and crevices, then winding them slowly in. At the nearby park, a couple sits at a picnic bench, eating lunch. And hidden off to the side, tucked like a treasure to the left of the boat launch, sits Lakeside Arts and Gifts.

December 18, 2020 | By David Wakefield

A Gamer’s Paradise: The Game Hub

Kyle’s owned The Game Hub for ten years now, and he’s gotten to know his customers. “I wanted to be a teacher,” he says, “but went a different direction. I fell in love with running a business. But it’s cool to see people grow up and keep coming in.” As he chats, his daughter pulls white sticker off a label sheet and puts it on his hoodie. “What you doing?” he says kindly. “Are you putting stickers on my back?” “No, she replies, then waits for him to turn around before putting another one on.

December 11, 2020 | By Trudy Wakefield

What’s Up This Week in The Bloom 12.11.20

The good thing about a COVID Holiday is it gives us time to do ALL our favorite at-home traditions. We’ve made a list of our favorite holiday cookies, movies and meals, and books. We may be spending more time at home, but we will be busy. Whether we like it or not, this may be one of the coziest holidays ever! We’re excited to share with you more local businesses you can support, The Painted Bird Gallery and Two Sisters Antiques, hidden in the courtyard in downtown Kelseyville. Also, don’t forget to share some holiday cheer: check out our calendars and find a toy drive nearest you. We at The Bloom wish you the merriest holiday season.

December 11, 2020 | By David and Trudy Wakefield

Antiques and Good Conversation: Two Sisters Antiques

Entering the courtyard’s just the beginning of the journey when you head in to meet the Two Sisters. A couple Radio Flyer wagons and a bubbling fountain filled with fish first greet you, followed by metal buckets, washbasins, and statues, the appropriate overflow of any good antique store. Then you’ll make your way up the stairs and meet them. Tina and Robin Kingsley stand in the middle of their store, looking at all the things they have collected over the years. They’re surrounded by embroidery, ceramics, galvanized tubs, candles, figurines, games, and various other good finds. We’ve got a little bit of everything,” Robin says, a smile in her words. “A lot of everything!” Tina interjects.