MIDDLETOWN
Catch the last Weaving Workshop of 2022, Artists’ Conversations, and the Earth, Sky, and Everything in Between exhibit before it closes
This Saturday, October 8, you can gain insight into what being a contemporary Pomo basket weaver, jeweler or mixed media artist means to the artists themselves. Their responses will be varied but include stories that raise awareness about the history and heritage of the first people of this place, who are still here. They carry, into the present and future, the cultural practices of their ancestors using both traditional and contemporary materials.
Join us at MAC – space is limited – for Artists’ Conversations and Basic Basket Coiling Techniques or tune in on Zoom for the first part of the day including the conversations and Corine’s coiling demonstration. Donations are greatly appreciated to support the project, or you may attend free. No one turned away for lack of funds. sing up at: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E354376&id=78
Earth, Sky, and Everything In Between closes October 10. It’s the first contemporary Native American art exhibit in Lake County, and the first display to be curated by a Native American in the county. It’s on view Thurs-Mon 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
By Monday, over 550 students will have visited the exhibit, bringing new perspectives and awareness to their families and communities. Join them, and experience this powerful heart, and eye-opening collection of work by 31 contemporary Native American artists.
—Submitted
WASHINGTON
Thompson, Levin lead letter to FTC demanding investigation into gas price gouging
At press time Friday, Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Mike Levin (CA-49) announced that they are leading 29 House colleagues demanding an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) into potential non-competitive practices, anti-consumer behavior, and market manipulation by California oil refineries. At least six California refineries have gone offline for maintenance in recent weeks, and gas prices have spiked far beyond the national average without a clear explanation from industry leaders about why refineries are offline at the same time or why California prices have diverged from national averages in an unprecedented way.
“While maintenance is a normal occurrence at refineries, this degree of divergence from national prices is unprecedented, regardless of planned or unplanned refinery maintenance,” the members wrote in the letter. “Even as gas prices continue to increase, the industry has provided no clear explanation on why prices are rising so rapidly as well as how refineries are making decisions about maintenance or outages. At moments of significant financial hardship for Californians, refiners should be transparent on market dynamics.”
“We urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in collaboration with the Department of Justice, the Department of Energy, and the California Department of Justice, to use its existing authorities to launch an investigation into any potential anti-consumer behavior and market manipulation within California’s transportation fuel markets,” they wrote. “While refiners and other actors may want to continue operating without transparency and accountability, our constituents deserve to know whether these companies are manipulating markets at the expense of everyday Americans, including through any collusion or coordination to affect refining capacity or inventory levels. Our constituents deserve to know why gas prices in California continue to rise even as the price of oil has not. We urge you to immediately investigate the business practices of refiners across California to analyze whether these companies may be engaging in any anti-consumer behavior.”
The letter is signed by multiple representatives. In the letter, the representatives recognized the important action by Gov. Gavin Newsom to direct the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to allow for an early transition to winter-blend gasoline, which typically reduces gas prices, and noted the relief that the state’s Middle Class Tax Refund will provide for Californians. They also highlighted House passage of the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, which would crack down on any oil and gas companies that are distorting or manipulating fuel markets by strengthening the FTC’s authority to address disinformation in oil and gas markets that is meant to inflate retail prices for consumers.
The full text of the letter can be read online at: https://mikelevin.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2022-10-07%20Levin%20Letter%20to%20FTC%20on%20California%20Gas%20Price%20Increases.pdf
—Submitted
