posted
i was just up in Clearlake (Clear Lake?) last week, and really enjoyed it. There doesn't seem to be any quality sign painters in Lake County, but maybe there are some in Ukiah. Seems like the economy up there is starting to take off, so I'm thinking of moving away from San Francisco (beautiful but expensive) to the Lake (beautiful and cheap). Anybody have thoughts on it?
so far, i checked with the local Mac Tools guy, who filled me in on the custom bike shops (they're doing well). like other "resort" areas, i'm guessing much of the business would be doing boat lettering, custom bikes, custom cars (seemed to be a lot of cars with fins and nice paint, but not a stripe to be seen).
am i crazy? (er, make that "am i stupid?")
------------------ :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: San Francisco :: :: don't blame me... i'm just a beginner ::
Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Note to All: I am going to say some things about Clear Lake and it's locals that some of you out there may not like. Please don't take it personal... it's ALL based on what I've been exposed to there and it is NOT my opinion on "the World" or any particular "group in general", K? Just the Clear Lake Groups I've seen and have been exposed to.
I go to Clear Lake is twice a year for a week each time. I go because Great Grandma Lives there- otherwise I'd never go at all. I haven't lived there, so I don't know what I'd be able to peck out there for myself and find suitable to live with. I am in a small town here in Pollock Pines, that could quite frankly be described just as I am about to describe Clear Lake, but with Rednecks instead of Indians. I have found some peace here and I have settled down with "the locals", but I have seeked out the less dysfunctional ones here... I am dyfunctional enough I don't need any help! You could probably do the same in Clear Lake just as easy.
Clear Lake has a HUGE popluation of Retired Seniors (which are really cool people, but have fixed incomes), Welfare Mom's (that are abusing the system), Alcoholic Never Seen Dad's (that could be a source of income- getting their Harley's striped), and I hear they got some crazy Featherheads (Idiots of Native American decent- to be PC?) over there fightin over territories and shooting up each other and the towns they live by.
The area may be promoting "Economy taking off" but it's still a catch phrase to attract any one that does not fit in the groups mentioned above. (In My limited OP)
I appluad them for trying to clean up the lake and it's surrounding towns, but they are no where near close yet... (again, my limited view)
True: I am highly exposed to a select group of dysfunctional Lake County residents.
True: These dyfunctional people bond with other dysfunctional people. So anyone new I ever meet there is part of the "problem".
Just based on what I have seen around town and from some people that have lived there for darn near ever... my advice is go and stay there for an extended visit first. Visit in the summer (it gets REALLY hot) and in the Winter (when the lake floods anything near it) and hang out in the coffee shops and businesses that interest you. Talk to those business owners! They will have a broader perspective on the Lake County residents than I do.
Advice: Keep in mind that in SF you can find pocket neighborhoods and people that represent nearly EVERY personality type known to man. SF has more "cars" than they know what to do with... in Clear Lake it's a three car town and two of them are broke down. (meaning: Very Small Town)
You could be a part of the growth there and make a real difference! This could be a positive thing for you...
Based on what I know, I just wanted to say, "don't go in with blinders on." Better to be prepared than be part of California's shock thearpy- small town welcomes can be brutal.
The just sending up a warning flare side of the Moon
------------------ The Moon aka: Stefenie Harris Moonlight Designs Pollock Pines, CA learnin' somethin' new every day!
Posts: 550 | From: Pollock Pines, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
There are several quality sign producers there that have earned enough respect that they don't require in town shops or yellow page ads. If you drive around Lakeport there are better signs tha Clearlake Oaks. There's always room for another, but you better have a clear plan about how you will compete with the existing marketshare.
There are some that are very capable of doing better quality work than they're producing and need the competition to move them back to their brushes and away from their computers.
One of the guys at Sheldon Signs is doing some spray mural backgrounds with transluscent paints on lighted signs and doing an exceptional job. His brother has another sign shop and can letter. There's George at Wild Signs and he can letter, although he usually just pumps out the minimum to get a check and do his other stuff. There's Randy Hare, who is working hard at always upgrading his skills. There are many more.
In the summer, Lakeport swings at night with bands playing outside and it stays hot. There are lotsa promotions for bass fishing tournaments and water skiing competitions. That's the big share of who comes there. There is little there for an art scene. Not much theatre. Little available for the more eclectic mindset. The lake gets so green with algae that in places you can almost walk on it. I would not swim in it. Sailing there is uncomfortable because they allow drinking and driving of speed boats still. It sure gets hot there though!
Oh, did you check out that water slide park on the south east side of the lake?
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6768 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Wow, how interesting to find a post about my town (almost anyway).
I live in Clearlake Oaks, and have lived in Clearlake and Nice as well. I think Lake County is a beautiful place to live. It's interesting that you have brought up Clearlake's bad points. You see, for those of us who live here, the perspective can be quite different. Let me explain,
As far as the County itself is concerned, most of the political power is held on the north side of the lake in Lakeport, whereas in Clearlake and the surrounding areas things tend to get overlooked a bit. To make a long post slightly less long: Clearlake gets the short end of the stick, because those in power in Lakeport want it that way. The problem is, as you can tell by some of the above posts, people are still going to associate the bad points of Clearlake with other towns around the Lake. So no matter how much they try to distance themselves from Clearlake, Lakeport is still going to be associated with Clearlake's bad points.
It's a drag, really. You came up here, drove through some nice places in the county, and some bad places, and I bet you still left with a bad taste in your mouth about it! Well, I hope to be one of the people that changes all this.
It will just take time.
As for the original post, there are a LOT of signmakers up here. It doesn't bother me too much, because I can survive with or without the signmaking aspect of the business (I also do screenprinting and web design). However, my long term plan is to produce the best signwork in the county. Enough about me though, I'd recommend this place to anybody, I love it. Here's my tip for the day: buy a house here. Property value is going up up up.
Bring your sign biz with you, I've made friends with competitors up here already, and I've found it to be one of the most rewarding friendships I've had. Maybe we could hook-up and get a cup of coffee.
You could probably do the same in Clear Lake just as easy.
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