Let's hope that by the time this column appears all fires in California have been extinguished.

I wanted to offer you a poem that shows us what that beautiful but arid state can look like before it's caught fire.

The poet, Dana Gioia, served as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts and has been a friend to, and advocate for, poetry for many years.

This poem appeared in the anthology, “Fire and Rain: Ecopoetry of California,” from Scarlet Tanager Books.

California Hills in August

I can imagine someone who found
these fields unbearable, who climbed
the hillside in the heat, cursing the dust,
cracking the brittle weeds underfoot,
wishing a few more trees for shade.

An Easterner especially, who would scorn
the meagerness of summer, the dry
twisted shapes of black elm,
scrub oak, and chaparral, a landscape
August has already drained of green.

One who would hurry over the clinging
thistle, foxtail, golden poppy,
knowing everything was just a weed,
unable to conceive that these trees
and sparse brown bushes were alive.

And hate the bright stillness of the noon
without wind, without motion,
the only other living thing
a hawk, hungry for prey, suspended
in the blinding, sunlit blue.

And yet how gentle it seems to someone
raised in a landscape short of rain—
the skyline of a hill broken by no more
trees than one can count, the grass,
the empty sky, the wish for water.


American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©1986 by Dana Gioia, "California Hills in August," from Fire and Rain: Ecopoetry of California, (Lucille Lang Day and Ruth Nolan, Eds., Scarlet Tanager Books, 2018). Poem reprinted by permission of Dana Gioia and the publisher. Introduction copyright ©2019 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.

‘WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE’ (Rated PG-13)

Maria Semple’s comedy adventure novel “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” would seem to be one of the more challenging adaptations to translate to the big screen for a wide audience.

According to the press notes, Semple’s “Bernadette” is an epistolary novel that unfolds over the course of a series of correspondences in which letters and emails are the primary source material.

For the uninitiated like myself, an epistolary novel is loosely defined as a series of documents in which the reader is privy to the private thoughts and feelings of the character.

To turn Semple’s novel to the silver screen feature “Where’d You Go, Bernadette,” the best bet was to hand over the challenge to director Richard Linklater (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Holly Gent and Vince Palmo).

The most compelling reason to see this film is the awesomeness of Cate Blanchett as the titular character, a brilliant Seattle resident who is withdrawn but does not hide her dismissive attitude to most people.

Most amusing of all is how Bernadette Fox seeks to either rudely ignore or otherwise annoy her immediate neighbor Audrey (Kristen Wiig), going so far to erect on her property line a warning sign that proves to be offensive.

In a faux documentary style, where university professor Paul Jellinek (Laurence Fishburne) is one of several interviewed professionals, we learn that Bernadette was once a pioneering architect of tremendous vision.

Formerly based in Los Angeles and the legendary winner of a MacArthur Grant, Bernadette enjoyed notoriety for the ambitious “Twenty Mile” house that was built entirely from scrap materials within a 20-mile radius.

After this property was bought and demolished by a wealthy entrepreneur, Bernadette’s creative spirit was so crushed that she gave up her career for marriage to Elgie Branch (Billy Crudup) and moved to Seattle.

Two decades later, Bernadette finds the meaning of her life is centered around her teenage daughter Bee (Emma Nelson), who’s for all intents and purposes is her best and only friend.

Bernadette’s husband, Elgin, has become such a big deal as a Microsoft engineer that he is a largely absent spouse and father due to work and perhaps because of a new assistant who is not aloof and distant like his wife.

The family lives up on hill in an old, crumbling mansion that has irresistible historic charm but badly needs renovation and numerous roof leaks awaiting repairs.

Running the household is not Bernadette’s forte; her antisocial trait is evident in the fact that she has outsourced errands to an India-based personal assistant named Manjula because even a trip to the pharmacy is daunting.

On rare public outings, Bernadette hides behind large dark sunglasses that seem to shield her from an anxiety disorder that comes with a desire to avoid uncomfortable situations and even an encounter with an admirer of her architectural achievements.

Now married for a long time, Bernadette’s acerbic wit and caustic sarcasm, along with a general attitude of contempt for anyone outside the family, brings increasing dismay and alarm to Elgie who frets about his wife’s avoidance of social interaction.

Roused to stage an intervention, Elgie recruits a psychiatrist (Judy Greer) to assess Bernadette’s extreme behavior, a condition that may have been exacerbated by an abundant supply of her multi-colored prescription pills for unknown or unknowable maladies.

You can easily imagine the scorn that Bernadette exhibits when confronted in this way, and things get no better when an FBI agent arrives to investigate her relationship with the mysterious personal assistant’s involvement in identity theft.

Meanwhile, the smart, spirited Bee has persuaded her parents that a family trip to Antarctica would be a nice vacation before she heads off to an elite boarding school on the East Coast.

The Antarctica trip is the touchstone to the movie’s title, which of course raises an issue as to Bernadette’s whereabouts. As it happens, Bernadette simply disappears from home one night without so much as leaving a note.

Bee has figured out that her mother has already embarked on a journey to the ice-covered landmass of the Earth’s southernmost continent, and she and her father will have to catch up.

Having had an earlier encounter with Professor Jellinek at a Seattle café, Bernadette may have taken heed of his entreaty that she must regain her ability to create, presumably something architectural.

A lack of familiarity with Maria Semple’s novel proves not to be an impediment to enjoying the quirky adventure of the protagonist. I leave it to others to determine if liberties taken with the source material diminish the film in any significant way.

Cate Blanchett, who inhabits the complex role so deftly that no one else could justifiably play the part, captures every neurotic twist of a character irresistible to watch.

From the perspective of an unqualified observer on the film’s literary fidelity, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” is a touching, captivating and frequently hilarious adventure into the world of a prickly middle-aged woman on a journey of rediscovery.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is conducting an art contest to select the design for the state’s 2019-2020 upland game bird stamp.

The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and older. Entries will be accepted from Nov. 18 through Dec. 6.

This year’s stamp will feature the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). These medium-bodied forest dwellers are the only member of the genus Bonasa, and have a range extending across North America. In California, they inhabit riparian and conifer forests in the northwestern portion of the state.

Ruffed grouse have intricately barred or variegated plumage in shades of brown and gray, depending on environmental variables, with a conspicuous neck “ruff” and dark tail banding which they use to attract mates. Their most notable courtship ritual, however, is their “drum display” – a low-frequency booming sound created by beating their wings against their bodies.

Contest entries must include at least one ruffed grouse, preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and a print.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a public judging event, with the date and location to be announced later.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from stamp sales must be spent on upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach.

CDFW sells over 150,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps.

For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the website.

For contest information and entry forms, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Join artists Anne Ducrot and Lisa Kaplan for a 2D mixed media workshop “All That is Now” on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Middletown Art Center.

“‘All That is Now’ refers to anything and everything about being here, in this place, now, and the broad gamut of emotions and experiences of both recovery and living with fire. From danger to opportunity, loss to renewal, to normalization, each of us has experienced this differently and is in a different phase of adjustment,” explained Kaplan. “This workshop provides a forum for skills building and self expression of both our personal and collective experiences through individual and collaborative art making.”

Kaplan said a group piece will be created for exhibition in the fourth fire anniversary show, which is also entitled “All That is Now.” The exhibit opens on Friday, Sept. 13.

Adults and children age 12 and up of all levels of art making experience, from newbies to professionals, are invited to join the class for $15 including canvas, paints and other materials and supplies. Participants are invited to bring photos, objects, writing for reference and inspiration, if desired.

Please register in advance for this and all Locus classes at www.middletownartcenter.org/locus, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118. Space is limited and reservations are required.

The Locus project, funded in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, returns with this workshop after a short summer break. Having reopened the EcoArts Sculpture Walk, Locus activities will focus on workshops that lead to design and implementation of a second collaborative sculpture for Rabbit Hill. The public is invited to participate in the design and creation of new work.

A sculpture workshop will take place in mid September at Joe Felber’s studio in Middletown. Folks who have kept artifacts from the fire, large or small, are invited to weld, hammer and combine these into something new. Please visit www.middletownartcenter.org/locus, to stay up to date on class schedules and to preregister.

Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29. Be a part of the growing arts scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by coming to the “All That is Now” workshop this Sunday, or by attending one of the many arts and cultural events or classes at MAC.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or “Like” Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay find out more about what’s happening at MAC.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Higher Logic Project comes to Middletown Art Center on Friday, Aug. 23, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

The MAC welcomes this beloved local band to perform in the MAC gallery, surrounded by artwork from the “Nature” exhibit currently on view.

DJs will provide additional dance music. Enjoy Reggae-infused dance rock and soulful melodies with lyrical consciousness.

The cover charge is $12. A no-host bar will be onsite.

The performance is the Higher Logic Project’s debut of it newest lineup which is bursting with flavor and harmony.

“We have added a new drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, steel pan and three new vocalists to add even more spice to our sounds as we prepare to get back in the studio to cook up something new for our fans!” said Dooby Logic, founder of the band.

Dooby (Derek) Wells, lead vocalist and song-writer, began his venture into reggae under the moniker Fuzzy Logic.

Wells has been a local fixture in the Lake County music scene for a number of years. Originally from Santa Barbara, he has made a home for himself here, a place where he can truly express himself and where his “creativity flows through his heart.”

In a shared vision of enriching life in South Lake County through the arts, Matt Barash of Luvbug Presents has partnered with MAC to bring live musical performances to the area. Concerts will feature both local musicians and guests from afar.

Up next on Sept. 27 is headliner Milk for the Angry, an alternative psychedelic rock band from the Bay Area with local bands, Wormhead, Death and Taxes and JFK.

“We hope that these shows will be set the foundation for exciting live musical performances here for a long time to come,” said Barash. “If you are a local band looking to be heard and seen in a Lake County feel free to send your inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”

Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or “like” Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay up-to-date with what’s happening at MAC.

Check out MAC’s nominal cost “Locus” classes at www.middletownartcenter.org/locus.

The Higher Logic Project music can be found on Facebook or download the group’s CD.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 1943 adventure drama, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” starring Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 1 and 6 p.m.

Entry to the film is by donation.

Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway, this tale of love, derring-do and sacrifice during the Spanish Civil War is laced with tragic fatalism.

Hemingway himself chose Cooper and Bergman to play the leads, with both of the actors receiving Academy Award nominations.

The movie is sponsored by Jim and Carol Dvorak in honor of Sen. John McCain. Rated G. Run time is 2 hours and 40 minutes.

The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com .