Ukiah, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Ukiah, California
settlement_type = City


imagesize =
image_caption =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Mendocino County and the State of California


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_name2 = Mendocino
government_type = Council-manager
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Douglas Crane
leader_title1 = City Manager
leader_name1 = Pat Thompson
established_date = 1856
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 4.73
area_land_sq_mi = 4.73
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
area_water_percent = 0
elevation_m = 193
elevation_footnotes = [gnis|277623|Ukiah]
elevation_ft = 633
latd = 39 |latm = 8 |lats = 56 |latNS = N
longd = 123 |longm = 12 |longs = 31 |longEW = W
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes = GR|2
population_total = 15,497
population_density_sq_mi = 3275
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
website = http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 95418 and 95482
area_code = 707
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-81134
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 277623
footnotes =

Ukiah (pronounced You-kai-uh IPAEng|juːˈkаɪjə) is the county seat and largest city of Mendocino County, California. With its accessible location (along the U.S. Route 101 corridor several miles south of State Route 20), Ukiah serves as the city center for Mendocino County and much of neighboring Lake County. In 1996, Ukiah was ranked the #1 best small town to live in California and the sixth best place to live in the United States. [cite book|year=1996|title=The 100 Best Small Towns in America|first=Norman|last=Cramptin]

Geography

Ukiah is located in the Ukiah Valley at coor dms|39|8|56|N|123|12|31|W|city (39.148761, -123.208612)GR|1, with an average elevation of convert|610|ft|m|0|abbr=on above sea level. The city has a total area of convert|4.73|sqmi|km2|lk=on|abbr=on, all land.GR|2

Climate

Ukiah has a temperate Mediterranean climate. Average rainfall for the area is convert|36.96|in|cm|0|lk=on|abbr=on per year. Measurable precipitation occurs on an average of 82.1 days per year. The greatest monthly precipitation was convert|24.76|in|cm|1|abbr=on in January 1995 and the greatest 24-hour precipitation was convert|6.18|in|cm|1|abbr=on on December 22, 1964. Light snowfall occurs about every other year. The greatest recorded snowfall was convert|1.5|in|cm|1|abbr=on on March 2, 1976.

Infobox Weather |single_line=Yes |location=Ukiah, California
Jan_Hi_°F = 56 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = 82
Feb_Hi_°F = 60 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = 86
Mar_Hi_°F = 64 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = 93
Apr_Hi_°F = 69 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = 98
May_Hi_°F = 76 |May_REC_Hi_°F = 105
Jun_Hi_°F = 83 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F = 114
Jul_Hi_°F = 91 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F = 114
Aug_Hi_°F = 90 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F = 114
Sep_Hi_°F = 86 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = 115
Oct_Hi_°F = 76 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = 105
Nov_Hi_°F = 62 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = 92
Dec_Hi_°F = 56 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = 80
Jan_Lo_°F = 37 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F = 14
Feb_Lo_°F = 40 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F = 18
Mar_Lo_°F = 41 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F = 22
Apr_Lo_°F = 43 |Apr_REC_Lo_°F = 24
May_Lo_°F = 47 |May_REC_Lo_°F = 28
Jun_Lo_°F = 52 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F = 35
Jul_Lo_°F = 55 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F = 40
Aug_Lo_°F = 55 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F = 38
Sep_Lo_°F = 52 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F = 30
Oct_Lo_°F = 46 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F = 24
Nov_Lo_°F = 40 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F = 19
Dec_Lo_°F = 36 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F = 13
Jan_Precip_inch = 7.96
Feb_Precip_inch = 7.05
Mar_Precip_inch = 5.92
Apr_Precip_inch = 2.19
May_Precip_inch = 1.20
Jun_Precip_inch = 0.28
Jul_Precip_inch = 0.05
Aug_Precip_inch = 0.14
Sep_Precip_inch = 0.67
Oct_Precip_inch = 2.07
Nov_Precip_inch = 5.40
Dec_Precip_inch = 5.97
source = The Weather Channel.cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/95482?locid=95482
title=MONTHLY AVERAGES for Ukiah, CA |publisher="The Weather Channel"|accessmonthday=September 24 |accessyear=2008] |accessdate=September 2008

The average high temperature is 73.5 °F (23.1 °C). Average low temperature is 46.1 °F (7.8 °C). Temperatures reach 90 °F (32 °C) on an average of 65.6 days annually and 100 °F (37.78 °C) on an average of 14.4 days annually. Due to frequent low humidity, summer temperatures normally drop into the fifties at night. Freezing temperatures average 34.2 days per year. The record high temperature was convert|115|°F|°C|0|abbr=on on September 3, 1995, and the record low temperature was convert|13|°F|°C|0|abbr=on on December 9, 1972. July is normally the hottest month with a normal high of convert|90.6|°F|°C|1|abbr=on and a normal low of convert|55.3|°F|°C|1|abbr=on. December has normally the coldest temperatures with a normal high of convert|55.6|°F|°C|1|abbr=on and a normal low of convert|36.2|°F|°C|1|abbr=on. [National Climatic Center (ggweather.com)]

History

When Ukiah was founded in 1856, it was part of Sonoma County. When the state legislature created Mendocino County in 1859, Ukiah was chosen as the county seat.

Ukiah sits in an area known as the Yokayo Rancho, one of several Spanish land grants in Alta California. The Yokayo grant that makes up the majority of the Ukiah valley takes its name from the Pomo word meaning "deep valley" and lends it to the name of the city itself, Ukiah being an anglicized form of Yokayo.

Hops were once a predominant crop grown around Ukiah and, indeed, a refurbished hop kiln can be seen at the north end of Ukiah east of Highway 101 where many of the old fields were. Much of Ukiah's early population was supported by the lumber boom of the late 1940s, with the logging of redwood being a major industry.

On July 19, 1984, 12 members of the white nationalist revolutionary group The Order (led by David Lane) robbed a Brink's armored car for $3.6 million in Ukiah.Fact|date=December 2007

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, inside the city limits, there were 15,497 people in the city limits, 5,985 households, and 3,656 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,275/sq mi (1,265/km²). There were 6,137 housing units at an average density of 1,296/sq mi (501/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.53% White, 0.96% African American, 3.79% Native American, 1.68% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 9.67% from other races, and 4.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.31% of the population.

There were 5,985 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,707, and the median income for a family was $39,524. Males had a median income of $31,608 versus $24,673 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,601. About 13.2% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

As a community, Ukiah has roughly twice the number of people (including Redwood Valley, Potter Valley, Calpella, and Talmage) than the census reports. During the business day an average of 40,000 people work inside the city limits, or in the business and residential neighborhoods to the north and south.

Politics

In the state legislature Ukiah is located in the 2nd Senate District, represented by Democrat Pat Wiggins, and in the 1st Assembly District, represented by Democrat Patty Berg. Federally, Ukiah is located in California's 1st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +10 [cite web | title = Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest? | publisher = Campaign Legal Center Blog | url=http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html | accessdate = 2007-10-20] and is represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.

Exports

Ukiah is known for wine production and the Ukiah vicinity is now home to some of the most prestigious wine labels in the nation, including Fetzer,Fife, Parducci, Frey, and Bonterra. Ukiah vintners are known for innovating with organic and sustainable practices.

Ukiah is also a major producer of pears. The Alex R. Thomas Company owns hundreds of acres of Bartlett pear orchards on the east side of the Ukiah Valley. Many local residents and migrant workers are employed packing the pears for export around the United States and the world. Other, smaller orchards are owned by other local families.

The Ukiah Valley is home to two breweries, the Mendocino Brewing Company and the Ukiah Brewing Company. The Ukiah Brewing Company is America's first certified organic brewpub, and the nation's second organic restaurant. The Mendocino Brewing Company is internationally renowned as a brewer of traditional ales. Established in 1983 as the first California Brewpub in Hopland, they have now relocated to Ukiah with a state-of-the-art brewery.

Other important Ukiah products include grapes (wine and non-wine use) and lumber. The Ukiah area is at the headwaters of the Russian River (California) and its rich bottomland supports many small and mostly organic farms that grow fruits and vegetables and supports sheep and cattle.

Arts and Culture

* Home to the Ukiah Players Theatre
* Home to The Mendocino Ballet
* Home to Ukiah Civic Light Opera
* Home to the Grace Hudson Museum
* Home to the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra
* Home to the School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE)
* The alternative-rock/punk band AFI formed in Ukiah.Fact|date=December 2007
* Home to the improv/sketch groups "Hooligans", "Broken Window Productions", and "Conundrums"Fact|date=December 2007
* Ukiah is Haiku spelled backwards, and the city has held a "ukiaHaiku" festival annually since 2000.Fact|date=December 2007Fact|date=May 2008

Government

* Mayor- Douglas F. Crane
* Councilmembers
** Mari Rodin
** Phil Baldwin
** John McCowen
** Benj Thomas
* City Manager- Jane Chambers
* City Treasurer- Allen Carter
* City Clerk- Linda Brown

Schools

Ukiah Unified School District

* Ukiah High School
* Calpella Elementary School
* Eagle Peak Middle School
* Nokomis Elementary School
* Oak Manor Elementary School
* Pomolita Middle School
* South Valley High
* Yokayo Elementary School
* Frank Zeek Elementary School
* Tree of Life Charter School
* Grace Hudson Elementary School
* River Oak Charter School

Other K-12 schools

* Accelerated Achievement Academy
* Redwood Academy of Ukiah
* St. Mary of the Angels Catholic School
* Seventh Day Adventist Junior Academy
* Trinity School

Colleges

Mendocino College

Notable people

* Rick Warren (author of "The Purpose Driven Church" and "The Purpose Driven Life" and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County) was raised in Ukiah before his family moved to Southern California.
* Serial killer Leonard Lake lived near Ukiah in the early 1980s. [cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers|year=1999|pages=p. 134|first=Michael|last=Newton|isbn=0816039798]
* Ukiah resident Carl Sassenrath introduced multitasking to personal computers in 1985 with the creation of the Amiga Computer operating system.
* Gary Scott Thompson, television and film screen writer and producer, graduated from Ukiah High School in 1977.

Musicians

* AFI lead vocalist Davey Havok, guitarist Jade Puget, and drummer Adam Carson were all raised in Ukiah. [cite web|url=http://www.afireinside.net/bio/default.aspx|title=AFI Biography|accessdate=2007-12-01]
* Tiger Army lead singer Nick 13 was raised in Ukiah. [cite web|url=http://www.ghosttigers.com/FAQ.htm|title=Ghost Tigers: Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate=2007-12-01]
*Love Equals Death lead singer Chon Travis was raised in Ukiah.
* American singer/songwriter Holly Near was born in Ukiah. [cite web|url=http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608004306/Holly-Near.html|title=Holly Near Biography|accessdate=2007-12-01]
* Grammy award nominated guitarist, Alex de Grassi lives in nearby Redwood Valley, California.Fact|date=December 2007
* The [http://www.wikimusician.org/Ukiah Ukiah music scene] includes other talented artists but offers limited opportunties for performance due to the sparse rural environment.

Facts about Ukiah

* Ukiah is home to the world-famous Vichy Springs, known for their champagne baths. They claim to have the only naturally-carbonated hot springs in North America. Visited by several notable figures of the 19th century, it is advertised as Jack London's 'favorite hot spot'.

* "Ukiah" is the name and subject of a song on the 1973 Doobie Brothers album "The Captain and Me".

* Ukiah is featured prominently in C.D. Payne's novel "Youth in Revolt."

* One of the 6 original locations of an International Latitude Observatory.

* The Ukiah area suffers from naturally-occurring asbestos (NOA) in the soil, as do many parts of California. For more information, see [http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/aqmd/NOA.htm the Air Quality District's page] on NOA.

* Competing in the mens division III club level bracket, the Mendocino Steam Donkeys rugby union team are the first official NCRFU team in the county, and are based in the Ukiah area.
* Just east of Ukiah is the convert|488|acre|km2|sing=on City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, one of the largest Mahayana Buddhist communities in the Western Hemisphere. North of town is Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, a community in the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism.

* The People's Temple took hold in nearby Redwood Valley before moving to San Francisco, later to Jonestown, Guyana, where the cult committed the largest mass suicide-murder in recordable history.

* Ukiah's newspaper is the "Ukiah Daily Journal".

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofukiah.com/ City of Ukiah official website]
*wikitravelpar|Ukiah
* [http://www.ukiahchamber.com/ Ukiah Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.kmecradio.org/ KMEC Independent Low Power Radio]
* [http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ Ukiah Daily Journal]
* [http://www.kzyx.org/ KZYX & Z Mendocino County Public Broadcasting]
* [http://www.cloudforest.org/GULP Greater Ukiah Localization Project]
* [http://mendosearch.com/cityinfo-city_name-Ukiah.htm Ukiah, CA Travel Information]
* [http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/california/ukiah/ City-Town Info]
* [http://http://www.ukiahaiku.org/ ukiaHaiku Festival official website]

Geographic Location
Centre = Ukiah, California
North = Redwood Valley, California
Northeast = Potter Valley, California
East = Talmage, California
Southeast =
South = Hopland, California
Southwest = Boonville, California
West = Philo, California
Northwest =