Photo from one of the pre-COVID playgroups
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Shade Canyon to Host Waldorf-Inspired School Development Gatherings Online

Local nonprofit Shade Canyon School will host two public online meetings to discuss the development of a tuition-free, Waldorf-inspired public charter school in Kelseyville, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. At the gatherings, interested parents and community members can connect virtually face-to-face, see a glimpse of what public Waldorf-inspired education would look like in Lake County, learn about the steps remaining for Shade Canyon to become a public charter school, and ask the school’s founders any questions they may have.
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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.
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20201209_141141
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Photography, Art, and Whimsy: The Painted Bird Gallery

Bob Phillips stands in front of one of his photos, his feet spread slightly wider than shoulder-width, a facemask hiding his bearded face. Under his opened flannel shirt, a ‘D’Art Frog logo shows, half-hidden. “I consider myself a landscape photographer,” he says, thinking for a second. “I’m really an old school photographer.” On the walls around him hang his photographs. Sure, there’s a spectacular photo of Mt. Konocti shaded in the purples and blues of sunset on one wall, but near it, an image filled with holiday revelers hangs. Close-ups of radial airplane engines and painterly photographs of downtown Lakeport fill the walls next to them, showing that Bob’s more than just a landscape photographer. When I mention it, he smiles. “When the gallery was just my work,” he says, “I would have people come in, look at my photos, and ask, ‘How many photographers do you have?’” he laughs.
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Fashionable Kelseyville: Oak Boutique

Oak Boutique in Kelseyville feels more like walking into a friend’s home that also happens to have clothes for sale. Just inside, owner Caitlin Andrus warmly invites you into her world. A welcoming sitting area in front of the store encourages you to slow down and stay awhile, another gentle reminder that this isn’t going to be an everyday shopping experience. It’s no wonder Oak is loved by locals and visitors alike.
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Fiddler
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Come Relax at the Fiddler’s Jam–Sunday, October 4th

The Old Time Fiddlers’ Jam will once again gather at the Trolley and play some tunes that will get your toes to tappin’! The grounds at the Ely Stage Stop are open from 11am to 3pm. The house (museum) is closed to the public due to Covid. The music starts at noon and goes to 2 pm. Attendance will be limited to the first 100 people to arrive. Masks must be worn. Bring your own lawn chair so that you can social distance in the grove.
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POGOS 2
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The Community’s Pizza Parlor: Pogo’s Pizza

“We try to make the best pizza that we can,” Pete Ogo, co-owner of Pogos Pizza, says. “Everything’s from scratch. We make our own sauce, and our sausage is locally made for us using a special recipe.” He pauses for a second, but that’s just to catch his breath. “We’re really picky. We only prep our vegetables for that day; they’re never old.” Pete’s getting excited. It’s undeniable that he loves what he does. “You know what? Our biggest goal is to have the best product in the community and be as involved as we can.”
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Photo by Marta Dzedyshko from Pexels
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Kelseyville Pear Festival Cancelled for 2020

The Kelseyville Pear Festival is a one-day celebration of Lake County’s harvest of pears, walnuts, olives, and wine grapes. This has always been a family-focused event that showcases the rich agricultural heritage of many generations. It features a grand parade, historical displays, local businesses, craftsmen, food vendors, musicians, dancers, horses, kids’ town, and community services. This is the best-attended, one-day event in Lake County. Sadly, 2020 has seen traditional community events canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And again, Lake County endures horrific fires and weather conditions that make any sort of outdoor event nearly impossible this September.
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A Tale of Two Sauvignon Blancs: Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill

It’s a warm summer afternoon, but under the covered work area behind the tasting room it’s shady, and the afternoon breeze pushes air through, cooling it further. Paul Manuel, owner of Chacewater, sits at a picnic table, face shield stretching around his head. “I’m sorry about having to taste out here,” he says immediately. “Two weeks ago, we had to shift our tasting room outside. And this is our work area.” He pauses. “I don’t know how much longer we’re going to have to do this.” It’s not so bad. The sitting area is casual, comfortable, and welcoming. In front of a stack of wine barrels stands a short tasting bar. Several picnic tables stretch across the patio, a couple sitting at one. The breeze is pleasant, and the shade feels cool. Classic rock plays in the background, and the couple sings along to the chorus. Just on the other side of the shaded area, olive trees stretch in rows, guiding the eyes further outward towards the mountainous horizon. Bright sun glints off the still-small olives, ripening in speckles of chartreuse and white. Come late fall, they will darken to shades of purples, vibrant greens, and chocolate browns.
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ely
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Come Relax at the Ely Stage Stop this Sunday

The Old Time Fiddlers’ Jam will once again gather at the Trolley and play some tunes that will get your toes to tappin’! The grounds at the Ely Stage Stop are open from 11 am to 3 pm. The house (museum) is closed to the public due to COVID. The music starts at noon and goes to 2 pm. Attendance will be limited to the first 100 people to arrive. Masks must be worn. Bring your own lawn chair so that you can social distance in the grove.
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image11
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Kelseyville’s Main Street Poetry Project

Two hand made pine boxes to display poetry have been placed on Main Street in Kelseyville. The first is on the outside of Suites On Main on the south side of the street and the second across the street on Fore Family Winery I got permission from building owners and the support and encouragement of the Kelseyville Business Association and Georgina Marie, our Lake County poet Laureate. We plan to post new poems weekly and will use the display on Fore Family Winery for local poets. If you have comments or suggestion (or better yet POEMS) email them to KBA at info@visitkelseyville.com
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20200803_143347
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Suite on Main: Kelseyville’s Hotel

The building first came to life in 1941, during the Second World War, when cars with rounded fenders and swooping hoods drove up and down Main Street, and people still came into town on their horses. The bottom floor houses a couple of shops that front the street, their full windows looking out on the tree-edged sidewalk. Pumpkin-orange in color and black-trimmed, the building’s rectangular form stands a full head above the market to its left and Smiling Dogs Winery to its right. There, in the left-hand corner, a small, black door stands, unobtrusively and easily missed. On the eave above it, a section of an old pear box hangs, “Suite On Main” stenciled in its worn, weathered wood. Open the door, and a steep set of stairs immediately rises, forcing the head to look upwards. Then down the hall, and it’s the first door on the right. Welcome to The Loft at Suite on Main.
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2020 Farmers’ Market Poetry Contest: Get Your Poem Published and Win Prizes!

Opening day of this year’s farmers’ market was previously going to include the first Poetry Pop-Up at the Farmers’ Market of this year where local poets would share their poetry with market-goers, an event by Poet Laureate Georgina Marie that started in 2018. Since this cannot take place on opening day, both Georgina Marie and Cornelia Sieber, Market Manager, still wanted to continue with the goal of bringing the market and poetry together by offering a poetry contest to celebrate opening day of farmers’ market season. Lake County writers are invited to submit a food or farmers’ market related poem. A panel of 6 readers will then decide on three winners: first, second, and third place. The first place winner will receive $80 in market money, second place will receive $40 in market money, and third place will receive $20 in market money to use on fresh goods at the market. All winners will have their poems displayed at the market on opening day published in the Lake County Bloom.
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K Creek
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SIP and Sip: Fill up Your Growler at Kelsey Creek Brewing

Jason Chavez, owner of Kelsey Creek Brewing Company, stands behind the bar, pulls on a tap, and begins filling a two-liter growler with a Mixed Berry Sour. Behind him, a sign sits on a shelf. “Don’t cry over spilled milk,” it says. “It could have been beer.” Over the speakers, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and The Highwaymen sing, “The road goes on forever, and the party never ends.” Jason chats about his beers as he pours, tilting the growler to the side as it fills. His long dark hair, pulled back in a ponytail, hides under a NY Mets hat backward on his head. A long, spiraling dragon tattoo winds down his arm. It’s been four years since Jason and his wife Caroline took over Kelsey Creek Brewing. Since then, Jason has used his creativity to craft unique, tasty beers that cover the spectrum of brewing tastes, from dark, malty stouts to ultra-light, crisp lagers.
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saw shop
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Takeout Lake County: Food for Four for $40 at The Saw Shop Public House

Currently, the Saw Shop is offering meals for four people for $40. “We originally started the family dinners in February,” Weston said. “On Monday nights, we were doing a ‘dine and donate’ for local charities. Then, about three weeks ago we decided to do the family-style dinners daily. Now every night there’s a different family-style meal available. You get everything you need to take home and have a complete dinner.”
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20200326_140620
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Staying Sane: Finding Ease and Gratitude During the Global Pandemic: A 5-Part Webinar By Julie Stuart

Through my own recovery and confinement I’ve had some big insights on how to stay sane during this unprecedented time. I’ve also developed some ways to engage with the day-to-day that have helped me not only cope with the experiences of isolation, overwhelm, boredom, stress and FOMA (fear of missing out), but have me feeling the true freedom that can only come from within ourselves. Please join me as we explore ways to stay sane; cope with overwhelm, stress and boredom; and even find the pony in all this manure.
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