Three Poems by Slava Konoval (with Ukrainian translation)
ART AND LIT
How can you say that art is helpful in the face of war-terror-death-and all the…
Cheryl is a whippersnapper with prose and humor. She’s tough and loving, and takes no shit. And she can tell a story that won’t make you want to close the book. “Idleness is not the root of all evil, as the Jones would have you think. It is the fertilizer, which is required, if you wish to Grow Damn It!”
I joined a group of actors and crew members at their storage facility in Lakeport the other day. They were there to build set pieces, paint flats, and try on costumes for the latest comedic endeavor from the Lake County Theatre Company, Fishwrap, by Ben Bromley. They were meeting on a Saturday morning after working all week at their day jobs and rehearsing nights. Yet, the mood was energetic. People were talking, joking, and getting the work done.
Only One Ice Cream Can Describe Me – Nonfiction by India Akua Mendonça
In a record-breaking snowstorm for Lake County, the yearly Poetry Out Loud event still happened. On Sunday, February 26th, 2023. Jordan O’Halloran, the coordinator for the event, was on her way to the event from Kelseyville Rivera when she got a text that changed everything. Mike Adams, the manager of the Soper Reese, stated the power had gone out.
Seems there’s a National Day for just about everything. Case in point, just yesterday, March 27th was declared National Quirky Country Song’s Title Day. I mean, how goofy is that? RIGHT?!? Well, this upcoming Saturday has been declared “National Haiku Day”, a day when everybody is supposed to come up with a Haiku poem. For the uninitiated, Haiku is a poetry style from Japan that involves three lines; the first has five syllables, the second has seven and the third has five. For example, here’s one I just came up with –
Lake County Music
Is a privilege indeed
It’s good for the soul.
Now, how poetic is that? So, you all have until Saturday to come up with your own Haiku. In the meantime, here’s the local live music guide for the week of 3/28 through 4/3…
The Middletown Middle School (MMS) is putting on their Spring play. This year, it’s The Rules of Comedy, by Peter Bloedel. I had never heard of this show, but since my son is doing the sound, I was able to read the script. And, boy is it a good one! The MMS students and director, Joleen Jessen, have some great material to work with. . The show runs Friday, March 17th and Saturday, March 18th in the cafeteria of the MMS campus.
Tuesday afternoon in Kelseyville, August. Mike Guarniero and Danny Prather perch on barstools next to the front window, half-full beer glasses on the floor next to them. Danny’s taken the lead on a Neil Young tune he’s finishing, and odds are they’ll switch it around on the next song. Between the two of them, they could play all day and never repeat a tune. Danny gives a hearty strum on his guitar as the song ends, then grins as he leans over and takes a sip of his beer. Caroline Chavez, co-owner of Kelsey Creek, sees his glass empty and quickly brings over two full ones. “Now everybody,” she says, walking the smooth walk of a skilled bartender, “You all need to pitch in. I’m the only one buying them beer right now.” Mike and Danny happily grab their full brewskis, sip off the foam, and start a new song.
If I Could Get One Do Over, It Would Be… – Nonfiction by India Akua Mendonça
