I couldn't believe it when I heard there was a new store in Lakeport specializing in high-end handmade leather and clothing design. I was thinking what the heck? One day I was running errands and decided to stop by 341 North Main Street and was welcomed inside by the beautiful Lisa Jones-Tomassini.  As soon as we began talking, I knew I'd met a kindred spirit and that I wanted to invite Lisa to join us on Gathering. 

Lisa has serious design chops; she studied at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA, worked in all facets of the fashion industry, travelling from LA to Peru to Italy and everywhere in between. She spent weeks in Morocco immersing herself in the complexities of leather. She had an insider's access to the inner workings of domestic and international textile mills, manufacturers, and distributors as well as what worked for consumers and what worked against them.

We talked about why Lakeport, why fashion in a world where so many issues weigh heavy, the environmental impact of the fashion industry, and the difference between fast and 'slow' (or sustainable) fashion.
What's not to love about a woman who is "Wholly Inspired To Create Soulfully Beautiful, Functional Garments That Bring Value To Lives. I Adore Divine And Decadent Details, Designs Proven By The Wisdoms Of Years GoneBy, The Art Of Innovation, The Pure Joy Of Owning What One Truly Loves, The Glory That Permeates The Air When Synchronistic Collaborations Take Place, The Confidence Of A Woman Whose Garments Are Uniquely Expressing Her Own Style."
Listen up to be inspired and to find out who Lisa would love to dress if she could.

The House of Throckmorton Jones
341 North Main Street, Lakeport, CA
www.throckmortonjones.com
www.throckmortonjones.com/explore/articles/what-is-fast-fashion

That sounds so fancy doesn't it?  Supervisor Eddie "EJ" Crandell, Chairman of the Lake County Board of Supervisors joins me to talk about life in Lake County. I'm kinda sick of politics so I wanted to talk about pretty much anything but. I've always appreciated EJ's openness and positive spirit, so we talked about sports, his tribal heritage with Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, dancing, and moms. He shared about the struggles he sees in our fellow community members, and how important it is to reach out for help when we're feeling overwhelmed.  I enjoyed our chat and I hope you do too. 

So glad you asked!  Join me, your host Michelle R Scully, on this episode of Gathering to talk about an exciting new project, the Blue Zones Project, Lake County. Blue Zones Project is based on research by Dan Buettner,  a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five cultures of the world - which he termed blue zones - with the highest concentration of people living healthy lives to 100 years or older! Yes, it's true.

This episode my guests are Jamey Gill, The Executive Director and Abby Leutholdt, Marketing and Engagement Lead of the brand-spanking new Blue Zones Lake County Project, sponsored through Adventist Health Clear Lake. I have lots of questions and they have lots of exciting answers.  And, drum roll here, they have AMAZING plans to celebrate its official launch at the Annual Hope4Health Festival/Hope in the Park kick-off and concert May 14.  This is a not to miss event to learn all about the project, enjoy free healthy food, hula hoop contests, games for all ages, interactive stations hosted by partners such as NCO Gardens Project, Easterseals, Rotary, and WIC.  Check out their website to see where you want to jump in - take the True Vitality Test (I just did, it's easy!) and find ways to join in to learn how the Blue Zones Lake County Project can help us all to make healthy choices the easy choices - sign me up!

Website: lc.bluezonesproject.com

Kickoff event: https://lc.bluezonesproject.com/community-kickoff

Social: Facebook is @bzplakecounty, and IG is @bzp_lakecounty

Join me, your host, Michelle R Scully to talk all things agriculture with Sharron Zoller, the newly seated State President of California Women for Agriculture (CWA).  We talk about CWA's stated purpose to 'educate, promote, and advocate for the economic sustainability of the vast agriculture community. What does that all mean?  Sharing the story of how the food we depend on comes to be in our stores and on our tables. Our very own Lake County CWA Chapter volunteers are busy year-long putting on the AgVenture program, supporting local high school seniors with thousands of dollars in scholarships, and creating those delicious (and sold-out in minutes!) world-famous pear pies sold at the world-famous Kelseyville Pear Festival.  

Not too many decades ago, 1 out of 3 people were involved in agriculture.  Fast forward to 2022, and now only 2% of people are.  As those ties to the land and food production weaken and we become increasingly disconnected, so too can our appreciation of those who do farm.  With hunger, supply chain issues, inflation, and world unrest, I share CWA's passion to share the story of how the food we eat comes to be at our tables. Hug a farmer y'all!  

https://www.lakecountycwa.org/

https://www.lakecountycwa.org/online-membership-application/

https://www.lakecountycwa.org/scholarships/

Join me, your host Michelle R Scully, in a poignant conversation about foster families with the beautiful, inside and out, Hope Forti.  Hope's the Director of Families Together at The Tennyson Center for Children in Colorado.  Hope grew up in Lake County and though love took her to Colorado, she still has strong ties and passion for foster children and families here.  Shortly after the birth of their first son, Hope and her husband Kyle became foster parents themselves. Hope thought love would be enough but experienced firsthand the sense of overwhelm foster parents too often experience. We speak about the Neighbors Program which was developed at Hope's kitchen table 4 years ago, as they came up with a brilliantly simple idea - to invite non-foster families to come alongside foster families. That's where Neighbor's comes in.  As a community, we can support foster families by the simplest and oldest show of love in the world; preparing a meal.  Families Together's motto is "We can't fix everything, but we can fix dinner." At the time of our conversation, Hope had just found out that the Neighbors program had just matched their 300 family! 

We don't often talk about the staggering numbers of children in foster care - 424,000 in foster care in the U.S.; 60,000 children in California alone.  A child is placed in foster care 100 times a DAY. Nearly half of foster parents quit in the first year, citing lack of support as the reason. Historically many Lake County foster children were sent out of the county due to a lack of in-county foster families.  That is changing slowly but surely due to the good work being done to provide support to our local foster families. We've got a call to action for you - you can help support our local foster families by becoming a Neighbors volunteer.  Let's do this Lake County and fix some dinner.  #lakecountystrong.  

It's a new year y'all and January is gathering speed on us! My intention in kicking off this new year is to find inspiration to share with the people and places in our own backyard.  Join me, your host Michelle R Scully, as we chat with the beautiful and talented Christie White and Luis Castelero. Christie's southern hospitality and design chops combined with Luis's extensive hospitality background in renowned restaurants make the magic behind the charm of Finca Castelero, which they built (and continue to evolve) together. I was chomping at the bit to talk paella with Luis, who's prowess with paella is highly sought after and a joy to experience.  We talk about the humble origins of paella, and how the attention to what once was a simple dish turns it into something sublime.  Perhaps paella is really a metaphor for life.   

Who doesn't want more peace and plenty?  Well, it's 2022 y'all and a new year awaits us!  My intention in kicking off this new year is to find inspiration in people and places in our own backyard. Join me, your host Michelle R Scully, as we chat with Melinda Price of Peace and Plenty Farm.  In case you haven't been paying attention, there's LOTS going on at P&P Farm...not only are they a bright light in our own community, but  they're also on the radar (and in the October 2020 issue of) of the OG of lifestyle, the legend, Martha Stewart herself.  We talk sustainable food movement, saffron of course, and of course I want to know what's up with Martha and Snoop Dogg. And most importantly, the power of choosing to follow your dreams.  Happy New Year all y'all! #saffron 

As 2021 screeches to a close (and we're not sorry about that are we?), we look toward 2022 with hopeful anticipation.  The last two'ish years have been tough on all of us for so many reasons and we're all looking for ways to expand our mental and physical well-being. I talk with the lovely Melissa Kinsel about her lifelong learning with yoga and how rookies like me (and you!) can tap into the positive wellness benefits of yoga. 

Join host Michelle R Scully and her guest, the fascinating Lisa Kaplan to discuss all things Art/Life.  Lisa Kaplan is the Executive Director of the Middletown Art Center (MAC) and a multi-media artist. Lisa shares her fascinating ancestry, experience living in Israel, and her journey from art schools to ending up in Lake County.  We talk about how the MAC came to be, how art infuses life, the momentous impact of the Valley Fire on the south county communities, and how MAC has been a place of safety, community, and healing.  Lisa confirms that I am very funny and shares how she creates her art with the intent of helping mend the world.   

Host Michelle R Scully's guests on this episode of the Gathering are the dynamic duo Roberta and Dr. Harry Lyons. We talk about the incredible natural landscape of Lake County, the big bodacious Clear Lake of course, our favorite birds, dancing, and we tell LOTS of secrets.  Keep it on the DL.  You'll love Roberta and Harry together, we had almost too much fun.