Thanks to all
The Essential Public Information Center thanks the many organizations and businesses that assisted in the effort to reach Clayton Fire survivors on behalf of the American Red Cross disaster relief team and ever generous partners engaged in Lake County’s disaster recovery work.
In Lower Lake, these include: Lake County Fire Protection District (Station 65), Lower Lake Community Action Group & Volunteer Firefighters Association (The Brick Hall), Konocti School District, LL Elementary School, DJ’s Pizza, Tower Mart, Foster’s Freeze, Kentucky Fried Chicken, WalMart, Ray’s Foods, Carl’s Junior, Jack-in-the-Box, Lake County Department of Social Services’ Local Assistance Center, and the United Methodist Church.
In the City of Clearlake and communities around the lake: Grocery Outlets, Red & White Market, Lakeview Market, Clearlake Post Office, La Voz Latino Drop-In Center, Habitat for Humanity, Clearlake Highlands Senior Center, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Farmer’s/Allstate/and other private insurance companies, Lake County Fire Protection District, American Legion Post No. 437, Kelseyville Fire Protection District, Northshore Fire Protection District, St. Helena Hospital — Clear Lake, Moose Lodge 2284, Cobb Mountain Lions Club, and Lake County Library Services.
South Lake County organizations active in Clayton Fire relief services include Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians/Twin Pine Casino, United Methodist Church, New Harvest Community Church, and Team Lake County partners. KPFZ (88.1 FM) provided continuous coverage of fire fighting, suppression, and immediate clean-up activities, as well as on-the-spot reports and disaster relief resources, at www.kpfz.org — with special appreciation to our underwriters, program supporters, producers, members, listeners, and friends.
Add to these the myriad community members who are always ready to provide outreach services wherever they are needed. Thanks beyond measure for your gracious help.
Betsy Cawn, Upper Lake
Celebrate the arts
As students begin their school years and we approach the fall in our community, it is important for us to remember the impact of education in our homes, schools and communities. For decades, research has shown that when students participate in the arts as a part of their education, they go on succeed in school, work and life.
Designated by Congress in 2010, the week beginning with the second Sunday in September is National Arts in Education Week: a national celebration of the transformative power of the arts in education. We are celebrating and would encourage all supporters of arts, culture, and education to join with us — as well as our elected officials and education leaders.
Recently, in Washington, D.C., the new Every Student Succeeds Act was signed into law — replacing no Child Left Behind. This new bill fully supports the arts as part of every students’ “well-rounded” education. It provides the flexibility for students to learn creatively and for local districts and states to create schools that embrace the arts. What we know is simple: students attend school more often when they have access to the arts, parents and families engage with the schools when schools embrace the arts, dropout rates decrease, grades increase — and the halls are filled with artwork, songs, drama and dancing.
And, I’m not alone in this belief. According to a recent public opinion poll, released in March, 9 out of 10 Americans believe that the arts are essential to a student’s well rounded education.
However, so often we see that access is not there in communities across our state and the country. In that same public opinion poll, 67 percent of Americans believed that there was not sufficient access to the arts for their students to reap the benefits. Additionally, there is study after study that indicate the opportunity gap in arts education, specifically along racial and socio-economic lines. We must stand together to fight for equity in access and delivery of arts education to the young people in our community our state, and the nation.
As we celebrate National Arts in Education Week, we should take pause to cheer for our accomplishments, but we should also remember the work we have to do. How can our district help provide equitable opportunities for all of our young people? How can we use the new law to create arts-rich schools? How can we support parents, families and the community in provide more opportunities for engagement? It’s up to us — the arts education community — to take a stand and lead.
Claire May, Sebastopol
Crimes and misdemeanors
I have recently learned that anyone that steals a gun from an individual or gun shop etc is a misdemeanor now. Several years ago it was a felony.
If we want to get serious about hand guns crimes, maybe we should make it a felony again, but I know the liberal politicians will complain that we can’t overload our jail system on minor issues like that.
Thomas Nickel, Lakeport
