Community

: Jan Cook; Posted On Friday, 13 July 2018 23:45; 13 July 2018

Libraries offer Spanish books for children

New Spanish language books for children are now part of the Lake County Library’s collection thanks to a grant from the California State Library which supplied books to each branch of the county library. The library invites the public to check out the new books. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – All four Lake County Library branches now have new Spanish language books for children thanks to a grant from the California State Library.

: Middletown Luncheon Club; Posted On Friday, 13 July 2018 23:42; 13 July 2018

Middletown Luncheon Club hosts 4-H Club

**The Middletown 4-H Club at a past Middletown Luncheon Club meeting. Courtesy photo.**

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Luncheon Club will host an update from the Middletown 4-H Club when it meets on Wednesday, July 18.

: Elizabeth Montgomery; Posted On Friday, 13 July 2018 01:03; 13 July 2018

Middletown’s 'First Fridays' a hit

**Zoë Templeton, age 8, of Kelseyville, Calif., on the water slide at a "First Fridays in Middletown" event in Middletown, Calif., on Friday, July 6, 2018. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Montgomery.**

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Last Friday evening Middletown's streets were humming with pedestrian traffic as people flocked to live music, art exhibits, food vendors, an open mic, a farmers' market, wine tasting and, to the delight of the children, a water slide.

"First Fridays in Middletown" is a monthly event during the warm weather that has been steadily growing in size since its inception last summer.

This last Friday there was live music at nine venues around the town. Considering both street food vendors and restaurants, food options included Mexican, Ethiopian, Filipino/Hawaiian, Thai, Chinese and sourdough pizza baked in a cob oven.

"Water Fun Splash Zone" was the theme this month and kids were lined up outside the Middletown Car Wash to take a ride down the water slide.

"I had parents and kids who showed up at 4:30 p.m. and didn't leave until 9 p.m.," said car wash owner Courtney Van Leuven.

According to one of the event's organizers, Fairlight Ahlgren, the aim of "First Fridays" is "to encourage support of local business and to promote ‘micro-entrepreneurship’ and cottage industry as a viable, attractive option for people living in Lake County."

Ahlgren's organization, Phoenix Collaborative, has partnered with local businesses and nonprofits to stage the events as the south county area works to recover from fire losses, including that in May of the Middletown Hardester's Market.

Ahlgren named several organizations that have been crucial for the success of “First Fridays”: Middletown Area Merchants Association, Middletown Art Center and Middletown Community Farmers Market.

The theme for Aug. 3 will be "Wellness Cafe," spotlighting options for health and healing. On Sept. 7 the focus will be a fashion show.