LOWER LAKE
Guided Nature Walks continue at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Monthly nature walks continue to be hosted on the second Saturday of each month at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. The next guided walk will be held on Saturday, May 13, beginning at 8:30am.
The May nature walk will be led by Henry Bornstein, a certified California Naturalist and volunteer State Parks Docent. The route taken on the walk will depend on the condition of the trails after the recent rains. The hike should last between 1½ and 2 hours.
Bring binoculars and meet in the parking lot at 8:15am for time to experience the early morning wildlife that can be found in the Ranch House and Barn complex yard – the walk will begin at 8:30am.
There is no charge for the guided nature walk and parking is free for those attending.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Hwy 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. For more information about the guided walk, email info@andersonmarsh.org or call (707) 995-2658.
—Submitted
MIDDLETOWN
The return of The Taurus Party: Saturday May 13
Back in 1992, Mark Nichols, an artist and blacksmith from Middletown, began throwing a group birthday party for himself and friends whose birthdays fell under the zodiac sign of Taurus, and thus began 31 years of a long-standing Middletown community tradition-The Taurus Party. Nichols aka “Bubblemeister” or “Metalsmith Mark” hosted the first few Taurus Parties at Harbin Hot Springs and it later moved to his private property in Middletown. The parties got bigger and always featured live music and other forms of entertainment including fire dancers, performance artists, drum circles and a bouncy house for the kids. The parties were so loved and well attended that, about 10 years ago, additional astrological themed parties were added as well as a Halloween party. After the Valley Fire, Nichols relocated and then COVID prevented the ability to gather, until now.
This year The Middletown Art Center is honored to host the return of The Taurus Party! The public is invited to join us in celebrating all of our favorite Taurus Bulls in an all-out birthday bash including: a performance by the William Scott Forbes band, non-fire Fire Dancing, food by Goddess of the Mountain, Delights drum circle, and an opportunity to make art for International World Collage Day! The event is on May 13. Tickets are only $15 and will be sold at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Movies and art fun will be available for children. Children get in free with an adult.
About the band: Singer/songwriter William Scott Forbes was born and raised in rural Northern California where he picked up the electric guitar at an early age. His alt-country sound and songwriting is distinctive but influenced by Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Mark Knopfler. He grew up in Middletown in Lake County before relocating to Mendocino County where he attended Laytonville High School and studied music at Santa Rosa Junior College.
Questions can be directed to 707-355-0595 (Mark) 707-809-8118 (MAC) or community@middletownartcenter.org
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
California labor shows off its political muscle
If you need any more proof of labor’s power in Democratic politics, look no further than the joint conference of the California Labor Federation and the State Building and Construction Trades Council.
Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom told the gathering — “Unionize California” emblazoned everywhere — that worker rights are under threat in other states and that California must continue to lead the way.
- Newsom: “I hope you’re not taking for granted what’s happening in state after state all across this country.”
His speech followed appearances earlier Monday by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon of Lakewood, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego and Attorney General Rob Bonta. Atkins pledged again to protect workers’ rights, while Rendon re-upped his backing of a bill to let legislative staffers form a union.
Sunday, the three leading U.S. Senate contenders came calling to seek labor’s backing. It was the first time Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff of Burbank, Katie Porter of Irvine and Barbara Lee of Oakland appeared together since kicking off their campaigns to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein. After their panel discussion, one union director told The Los Angeles Times, “The hard part for us in the labor movement is that we have three friends. Which friend do we vote for? Which friend do we back?”
There are good reasons for Democratic politicians with any ambition to curry favor from the California Labor Federation and other organized labor groups — millions of them.
The number of potential voters is staggering and, at times, consequential: The Labor Fed claims 2.1 million members in 1,200 local unions and the Building Trades says it has some 450,000 members in 157 affiliated unions. Union members are also a key source of possible volunteers to canvas neighborhoods, run phone banks and distribute campaign flyers.
Then there’s the money — a lot of money. As CalMatters’ data journalist Jeremia Kimelman calculated Monday, in 2021-22 alone the Labor Fed spent nearly $2.7 million on campaigns and the Trades another $2.7 million, including more than $1 million to the state Democratic Party and local parties. In addition, the Labor Fed spent $877,000 on lobbying in 2021-22, while the Trades put in nearly $1.2 million.
The timing of the conference is not coincidental. Labor leaders and key legislators gathered Tuesday at the state Capitol to advocate for a state constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot that would guarantee every California worker the right to organize, join a union and negotiate with their employer.
- Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, head of the California Labor Federation, on Monday: “If big businesses can protect their property taxes in the constitution and politicians can protect their salaries from cuts in the constitution, then why shouldn’t workers be protected in the constitution too?”
—Lynn La, CALMatters
