CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A planned remodel of Clearlake's Walmart store is under way.

The company said that the remodel of the store, which first opened in 1994, began on Sunday, and is anticipated to be completed by late August.

The store's remodel will include improvements to associate-only areas such as the associate break room as well as public areas like the store restrooms and sales areas.

The company also plans to add new fixtures to the interior and exterior of the store will receive a new coat of paint.

“The primary purpose of our store remodel program is to invest in maintaining our capital assets to better serve our customers,” said Walmart spokeswoman Delia Garcia. “In addition to necessary maintenance work, the remodel process gives us an opportunity to update the store’s branding and refresh the customer experience by updating fixtures and sales displays.”

Approximately 70 temporary associates will be hired to assist with the remodel work, the company said.

“We will remain focused on serving our customers during the remodel process,” said Clearlake Walmart store manager Travis Peck. “Our intention is to always give our customers the best service possible.”

The Clearlake store has undergone previous remodels. Walmart reported that its stores are generally remodeled on a five- to seven-year schedule.

Separately, Walmart reported that it is continuing to pursue a planned expansion of the Clearlake store.

Plans are to increase the size of the store's footprint – which now measures just under 110,000 square feet – by another 41,000 square feet, the company said.

“Expanding the store means we’ll be able to better meet our customers’ needs by offering a full line of groceries, including fresh produce, meat and dairy selections, and other pantry staples,” said Peck.

He said that, in the 22 years the store has been serving the community, “Consumer shopping habits have changed and it’s time for us to change also.”

Peck said expanding the store will be an opportunity to help customers save time and money “by providing the true one-stop shopping experience they are looking for.”

The city of Clearlake has created a tentative schedule for the store expansion's environmental impact report, or EIR. Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom said that schedule recently was updated.

The schedule calls for a public review period for the draft EIR to take place from July 21 to Sept. 8.

The release of the final EIR will be dependent upon the amount and technical nature of the comments received on the draft document, according to the city's schedule, which has the public review period of the final EIR tentatively set to take place between Nov. 9 and 18.

The Clearlake Planning Commission will hold a November hearing on the expansion, with a city council hearing only to be required if the project is appealed, based on the schedule.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – An earlier start in this year’s Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival means earlier registration for the event, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 18, at Lakeport’s Library Park.

The Winefest – its abbreviated name – annually attracts dozens of amateur wine and beer makers who gather in the park to pour tastes for attendees.

This year’s festival – now in its 15th year – is the major fundraiser for the Lake County Symphony Association, or LCSA, with proceeds going to underwrite the orchestra and LCSA Youth Orchestra along with the other music-support activities it sponsors.

For the first time, the event also will feature more than two dozen vintage collectible cars from the Lakeport Camp ‘n Shine Chapter of the Norcal Air-cooled Group Car Club.

Home winemakers wanting to show off their efforts should call 707-569-6880 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application. There is no fee for participation although if they wish their wines to be professionally judged there is a modest charge of $7 per bottle.

Wines can be red, white, aperitifs or desserts, or blends.

Home brewers should call 707-279-1280 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . There will be no individual judging of beers and ales, but all are eligible for ribbons in the popular People's’ Choice awards, as are the amateur winemakers, who may also enter their wines for judging in a wide range of classifications.

Another major attraction is the participation of many of Lake County’s leading commercial wineries and breweries who, while not eligible for awards, pour tastes of their premium beverages to help support their excellent home county symphony orchestra.

Many arts, crafts and food vendors also display and sell their wares and those wanting an application may also contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-569-6880.

LCSA members also offer a major silent auction and its popular “Barrel of Wine” raffle, with prizes donated by generous local merchants.

Since the entire event revolves around music there will be a variety of musical performances taking place during the afternoon, headed by the popular David Neft Duo.

The Camp ‘n Shine cars will be on display from 8 a.m. until closing, while wine and beer tastings are from 1 to 5 p.m.

There is no fee to inspect the cars or visit vendor displays, and families and leashed pets are welcome, although adults must purchase entry tickets to taste the beverages. These are $25 at the gate, or $20 advance purchase to include a commemorative wine glass.

Tickets can be purchased at the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce, Watershed Books and Don Angel Winery, all in Lakeport, or at Langtry Winery on Butt’s Canyon Road south of Middletown, and in the Kelseyville area at the following wineries: Laujor, Rosa d’Oro, Smiling Dogs, Fore Family, Chacewater and at Steele’s tasting room in Finley. Other outlets will be posted soon.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The annual Lake County Symphony Association Youth Orchestra concert will be held on Sunday, June 5, at 3 p.m. at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

The theme for the concert will be "Heroes in Music and Film," and will feature a variety of pieces from Mozart to contemporary film favorites.

The first half of the program will begin with the beginning and advanced string classes sponsored by the Lake County Wine Alliance.

The cello classes, conducted by Clovice Lewis, will play Domenico Gabrielli’s “Canon for Two Cellos,” and the violin, viola and cello classes combined will play three tunes conducted by Jeff Ives.

Then the Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Sue Condit, takes the stage to begin its program with "Rondo" from “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and arranged by Carrie Lane Gruselle.

“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” is an example of a serenade, which in Mozart's time was written for special events and outdoor evening concerts.

“Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Rings” by Howard Shore, and arranged by Bob Cerulli accompanies the award-winning film based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. This epic piece explores numerous musical themes from the film, and challenges players with difficult rhythms and tempo changes.

"May It Be" from “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring” by Eithne Ni Bhraonain, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan, arranged by Larry Moore, was recorded and sung by Enya, and featured during the credits of the film. This slow and melodic piece allows for work on phrasing and expression.

Concertmaster and violin soloist, Julianne Carter, will perform the third movement from the "Third Pupil's Concerto,” Op.12 by Friedrich Seitz.

The first half of the program will conclude with "The Adventures Of Stringman" by Richard Meyer. This novelty piece features the superhero, "Stringman," who saves the day by coming to the aid of struggling players.

Acknowledgement of graduating seniors and recognition of Allegro Scholarship students will complete the first half.

The second half of the program will begin with "Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson, and arranged by Bob Cerulli.

"Blue Tango" is one of the most popular pieces in the Anderson collection. It was published in 1952 as an instrumental piece, but later was made into a popular song with lyrics by Mitchell Parish.

The next piece is movement one from the "Symphony No. 29, K. 201" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and arranged by Janet Farrar-Royce. This early work of Mozart is considered one of his best with contrasting themes, delicacy and energy.

The Youth Orchestra Quartet will play Mozart's "Menuetto K. 465," and will feature Julianne Carter on violin 1, Haley Webber on violin 2, Rafael Contreras on viola and Polina Bradley on cello. This group has been working hard to learn the techniques of quartet playing under the direction of Jeff Ives, the first chair violist in the Lake County and Ukiah Symphonies.

"Star Wars Heroes" by John Williams, and arranged by Jerry Brubaker, delivers an exciting medley of popular selections from many of the Star Wars films, such as "Star Wars" (main theme), "Luke and Leia," "Battle of the Heroes," "Han Solo and the Princess" and "The Throne Room."

The final piece will be "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" by Earl Scruggs, and arranged by Larry Moore. This fast moving bluegrass number was made popular as a banjo solo piece in 1950.

Everyone is urged to support these young music students who have worked very hard on this presentation.

Admission is only $5 and free for under 18 and LCSA season ticket holders.

Reserve tickets early at www.soperreesetheatre.com , by phone at 707-263-0577 or at the box office on Fridays at from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The heat goes on — and so do the records.

April 2016 was record warm for the month, rounding out one full year of record-breaking monthly temperatures for the globe.

This is the longest such balmy streak in the 137-year record, which dates back to 1880. 

For April, the average global temperature was 1.98 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 56.7 degrees F, according to scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information.

This temperature departure from average was not only the highest for the month of April in the 1880 to 2016 record, but also the fourth-highest among all months on record.

The globally averaged sea surface temperature for April was also highest for this month on record and surpassed the same period in 1998 by 0.43 degrees F – the last time a similar strength El Niño occurred.

This April there also was the smallest Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent recorded in 50 years of snow-cover data collection.

For the four months of 2016 (January to April), the average temperature for the globe was 2.05 degrees F above the 20th-century average of 54.8 degrees F. This was the highest temperature for this period in the record, breaking the previous record set in 2015 by 0.54 degrees F.

The globally averaged sea surface temperature for the year to date also broke a record, exceeding the same January to April period in 1998 by 0.47 degrees F, the last time a similar strength El Niño occurred.