Tickets are going fast for the 31st Annual Professional Piano Concerts. Two shows, featuring eleven performances, are scheduled for January 27th and 28th. The spot to be is the Mendocino College Center Theatre in Ukiah. Regional pianists will trade stories and melodies on grand pianos. The event usually sells out, so you’ll want to grab your tickets now at Mendocino Book Company locations. You can also snag the 25 dollar tickets online at UkiahConcerts.org.
If you’ve got dreams of being a print maker, you’re in luck. Mendocino College Ukiah Campus is offering courses in printmaking again. The fall semester kicked off the program after a 3 year hiatus. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports there’s even a brand new printing press. Students can learn all about the business of printing with several different courses. Learn the 500 year old art of Etching with a weekly course being offered now. Registration is open, learn more at Mendocino.edu.
Deep Valley Arts Collective has been awarded grant money. The 51 thousand dollars comes from the California Arts Council. The General Operating Support Grant was part of the over 32 million dollars the Council handed out to over 850 recipients. Deep Valley Arts Collective says they’ll use the funds to find a new executive director. Collective President, Lilliam Rubie, told the Ukiah Daily Journal that she’s got many great ideas, and the money will allow them to focus on bringing them to life. She said they have big plans for the future of the arts in Ukiah.
A man died yesterday in Ukiah when he fell off his bike. The 75 year old man was reportedly not alert when first responders found him on North State Street. Witnesses were giving the man CPR when Mendocino County Fire got to the scene. They were not able to save the man, and he was pronounced dead shortly after 3pm. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Coroners have not yet identified the victim.
How much do you know about Mendocino County plants? A new exhibit shines a light on them at the Mendocino County Museum in Willits. Local botanists show off the beautiful plant life of the county. The exhibit features photos, sketches, pressed flowers and more from several Mendocino County artists. In the Field: Exploring Botany in Mendocino County opens tomorrow. Get more info at Mendocino.County.org/Museum.
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden is visiting Healdsburg this week. She’ll be fundraising for President Biden’s re-election on Thursday. You can hear the First Lady speak at an event at the home of Barbara Grasseschi and Tony Crabb. The two own Puma Springs Vineyards. Dr. Biden will also make stops in San Fransisco, LA, Utah, and Ohio this week.
The Bucket Brigade Challenge is back. Fire departments from Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties will all participate in the 18th annual event. It’s a huge blood drive, with over a dozen cities involved. Weekly blood drives have been going on since December. Each local fire department is competing to collect the most blood donations. The winning department takes the Bucket Trophy. Blood drives continue until the end of January, which is also National Blood Donor Month.
The man who caused a shelter in place alert Sunday is still on the run. It all started as an argument over stolen property near Fort Bragg. Michael Jones is accused of shooting a man in the leg and then taking off. Jones faces multiple charges, including attempted murder. According to a press release, Jones is a 33 year old white male, 5 foot 11, and 175 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes and a tattoo on the right side of his neck. MCSO has posted a picture of Jones on their Facebook page. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff’s office.
The City of Fort Bragg has a public hearing scheduled for Monday. The hearing will be held at the Town Hall at 6pm. The purpose of the public hearing is a proposed updated resolution to adopt CV Starr Fees. The City Council said in a notice it plans to consider a resolution and more information on the change in fees. The public is invited to be at the meeting and share their comments and questions.
Two dogs abandoned yesterday at a local animal shelter are apparent escape artists. Mendocino County Animal Care Services said in a news release that a man dropped the two dogs at their door yesterday morning and took off. Through the magic of social media, staff connected with the owners of the dogs who said they’re known wanderers from the Laytonville area. Since the owners are unable to keep the dogs secure, they surrendered them. Staff at the shelter say the dogs are very friendly and should have no trouble getting adopted. As for the man who dropped them off, officials at the shelter said they’ve gotten in touch with him and have no plans to file criminal charges.
The Ukiah Senior Center is marking its 50th Anniversary next month. An Affair to Remember is scheduled for February 10th. The event will not only celebrate 50 years, it will fundraise for the next 50. Come out for a night of dining and dancing at Carl Purdy Hall at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds. If you plan to attend, the center hopes you’ll also help sponsor the event. Sponsorship levels vary and include nice perks like reserved seating and complimentary tickets. Read more about An Affair to Remember at UkiahSeniorCenter.org.
