News

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Milers Walking and Running Club will hold its 15th annual Spring Has Sprung event on Sunday, May 7, taking place at Coyote Valley Elementary School in Hidden Valley Lake.

The race for children starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K warm-up at 8:15 a.m. with the start at 8:30 a.m.

The event will feature along with their family-friendly 5K and very popular kid's runs 1/2K (300 yards) for ages 4 to 5 and 1K (600 yards) for ages 6-9. The age divisions for the 5K are 10 and under (for kids that are comfortable with a 3 mile distance) through ages 70+

This year the Spring Has Sprung event will support Middletown High School Track and Field and Kelseyville High School Track and Field.

The entry fee for the kids run is $5 and includes a finisher’s medal (limited to 45 kids so register early).

 The 5K entry fee is a low $15 for ages 19 and under and $30 for adults and includes an event shirt in a variety of styles while supplies last.

Register online at www.runsignup.com/spring until Friday, May 5.

Registration also will take place on race day from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m., with a price increase of $5.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council has recommended regulations governing the use of electronic equipment to monitor at-sea discards of target, non-target and prohibited fish for certain West Coast groundfish fisheries.

If approved by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), this will mark the culmination of a four-year process to develop and implement regulations for electronic monitoring system use in West Coast groundfish fisheries.

Council Member Dorothy Lowman said, “For many fishing operations, electronic monitoring will provide a more cost-effective way to meet 100 percent monitoring requirements. This will allow fishermen the flexibility to choose the monitoring method that makes the most sense for them while maintaining full accountability.”

Under the council’s catch share program, every vessel must carry a human observer to help monitor catch that is allocated to each vessel owner, including discards that happen at sea.

Each owner has a share of the total catch allocation and the program requires that each vessel have “quota pounds” to cover its catch of nearly all groundfish species.

The catch share program relies on at-sea monitoring to ensure that discards are accurately identified with an estimated weight so that vessel quotas are properly tracked.

However, fishermen must pay as much as $500 per day for an observer, and must schedule deployment of an observer when a vessel is ready to fish. The electronic monitoring program is expected to increase flexibility while reducing operating costs for fishermen.

An electronic monitoring system collects video images of fishing activity with cameras, uses gear sensors to trigger recording and monitor use, and includes a Global Positioning System to collect location data. It then stores this information on a computer hard drive for review at a later date at a mainland facility, where a person reviews the video to monitor the fishing activity.

Under the West Coast electronic monitoring program, the video images will be used to verify the species and amount of discarded fish that is recorded in a fisherman’s logbook. Observers may still be deployed on vessels to collect scientific data such as fish length measurements, interactions with protected species (marine mammals and seabirds), and other data to support fisheries management.

The use of electronic monitoring systems would be voluntary, and could apply to the midwater trawl fishery for whiting (sometimes called hake), the midwater trawl fishery for rockfish, the bottom trawl fishery, and the fixed gear fishery (which uses longlines with hooks and lines or pots).

The council’s decisions were informed by several years of collaborative work with the fishing industry, managers, and others to test electronic monitoring systems using “exempted fishing permits.” An exempted fishing permit allows exemptions from some regulations in order to study the effectiveness, bycatch rate, or other aspects of experimental fishing methods.

“I want to thank the industry and other stakeholders, NMFS West Coast Region, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission for their help in developing and testing this program, and especially NMFS headquarters for their policy and financial support for establishing the first large scale electronic monitoring regulatory program for U.S. fisheries,” said Council Executive Director Chuck Tracy.

The council recommends management measures to NMFS for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. It is one of eight regional fishery management councils managing fisheries in US. Federal waters (3-200 miles offshore).

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A celebration of life for Lakeport resident Michael “Mike” Stevenson will be held on Saturday, May 20.

The event will take place beginning at noon in Library Park in Lakeport.

Stevenson died on Nov. 22, 2016, at age 74 while visiting Verdigre, Nebraska.

Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, he was a lifelong environmentalist, outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman.

Stevenson served in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964. He was an Electronics Technician Second Class on the carrier USS Midway and later, as a submariner, on the USS Cusk.

He earned bachelor’s, master’s and engineering degrees from Stanford University, going on to become a Registered Civil Engineer who worked throughout California and as far north as Alaska.

From 1985 to 2004 he served as the city of Lakeport’s engineer and director of Public Works. During that time he oversaw a long list of city projects, from building City Hall to expanding sewer and water infrastructure, reconstructing Library Park and remodeling the Carnegie Library.

He was also very active in community groups, particularly the Lakeport Kiwanis Club.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Phyllis of Lakeport; daughter, Carmen Stevenson of Gold River; daughter-in-law, Kathy Stevenson of Ceres; grandson, Bryce Stevenson of Patterson; granddaughter, Mikaela Stevenson of Modesto; and brother, Eric Stevenson of Wakefield, Mass.

Stevenson was predeceased by his son, Ceres Police Sgt. Howard King Stevenson, who tragically died in the line of duty in 2005, while serving his community. He also was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Marie (King) Stevenson of Plymouth Meeting, Penn.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The American Legion Post No. 437 will host its monthly breakfast on Sunday, May 14.

The breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 14770 Austin Road in Clearlake.

The menu will include bacon, sausage, eggs to order, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and juice and coffee.

The May special is French toast. There will be a carnation and a mimosa for mothers in celebration of Mother’s Day. Mimosas cost $2 each for the fellows.

The cost is $8 per person.

For more information call 707-994-3677.

SACRAMENTO – The Ocean Protection Council, or OPC, recently adopted a resolution acknowledging a recent science report as a foundational piece for updating the State's Sea-Level Rise Guidance and directing staff at the Ocean Protection Council to begin the policy update, which will help state and local agencies incorporate sea-level rise into their decision-making.

The report was written by a Working Group of the OPC’s Science Advisory Team, in coordination with Ocean Science Trust and summarizes the latest in sea-level rise science and projections, including the potential impacts on California from rapid ice loss from the Antarctic ice sheet.

The report includes new information on the expected sea-level changes that will occur based on different greenhouse gas emission scenarios.

For example, with very successful mitigation efforts, the report states that there is a 67 percent probability that the Bay Area will experience sea-level rise between 1.0 foot and 2.4 feet by 2100. However, if no significant mitigation efforts are taken, that range increases to 1.6 to 3.4 feet.

The report also emphasizes the importance of preparing for extreme scenarios involving the rapid loss of the Antarctic ice sheet, which would have an enormous impact on global sea level rise and local sea level rise along our coast, bays, and delta.

In one such scenario, sea levels along California’s coastline could rise up to 10 feet by 2100 – about 30-40 times faster than sea-level rise experienced over the last century.

Although the likelihood of these extreme scenarios remains undetermined, scientists are working now to better understand the various physical drivers associated with ice dynamics, and to address not if, but when loss of the Antarctic ice sheet will occur.

“This latest scientific report on sea-level rise off California should be of concern to all Californians,” stated California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird. “It’s not just the possibility of the seas rising a few feet in the next century – it’s what happens when there are extreme storms that magnify the difference. Our ongoing efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions could significantly help safeguard local communities and important infrastructure. However, this report indicates that no matter what, sea levels will rise off California’s coast; it’s just a question of how much. We must lower our greenhouse gas emissions and we must plan and take action with regard to the rising sea level.”

Going forward, the updated guidance will provide a framework for decision-making. It will be used by state agencies and local governments to inform their planning, permitting and investments.

As the report suggests, there is no "one-size-fits-all" sea-level rise projection for California. Selecting the appropriate projection will depend on the location, type of project, its anticipated life span and ability to adapt to risings seas, and the potential economic burden of addressing future impacts resulting from increased sea-level rise.

Sea-level rise planning for a coastal power plant will not the same as planning for a coastal trail. In some cases, there will be more at stake, with scenarios that merit a more precautionary and conservative planning approach.

To ensure the updated guidance provides information in a way that is useful for decision-making, OPC will lead an inclusive public engagement process to solicit input from agency staff, planners, consultants, vulnerable communities, tribes and others.

OPC, in partnership with Ocean Science Trust, will host three upcoming public workshops: May 16 in Los Angeles, May 22 in San Francisco, and June 8 in Eureka. An additional workshop in San Diego will be scheduled shortly.

For more details, please visit: http://www.opc.ca.gov/climate-change/updating-californias-sea-level-rise-guidance/ .

The final sea-level rise guidance document will be presented to the Ocean Protection Council for approval at its January 2018 meeting.

For more information about the council, visit www.opc.ca.gov . For more information about the California Ocean Science Trust, go to www.oceansciencetrust.org .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and artist show reception with winemaker Scott Simkover of Smiling Dogs Ranch and artist Linda Becker from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 5, and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 6.
 
The $15 ($12.50/per person for studio club members) wine sampler featuring appetizers designer by Cache Creek Catering, will showcase Smiling Dogs 2016 Sauvignon Blanc paired with pink grapefruit and shrimp drizzled with Blood Orange olive oil and dusted with fresh cilantro, 2014 Barbera with roasted vegetable skewers, 2014 Sophie's Choice (red blend) with Monterey Jack cheese and white pepper on crostini with fennel pollen and parsley, and the 2014 BaryLot (red blend) with smoked bacon crumbles fingerling potatoes.

Named for the friendly, playful and loving Samoyeds who reside there (Sophie and Vino), Smiling Dogs Ranch Winery & Vineyard is a boutique operation located in Kelseyville.

Winemaker, scientist and longtime supporter of the health and arts of Lake County, Scott Simkover uses grapes grown in the Big Valley, Kelsey Bench and Red Hills AVA's to make wines at his solar and wind powered winery.

Originally interested in beer, Simkover was a small batch brewer before becoming a winemaker. After almost two decades combined in brewing his craft beer and fermenting wines, Simkover transitioned from being an award winning home winemaker to commercial winemaking in 2014.

His commercial releases have brought in medals and Best of Class awards at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition, and this year's winners include the Barbera and Sophie's Choice that will be featured at the May receptions.
 
Linda Becker, born Linda Bayhi in New Orleans, Louisiana of French and Hispanic heritage, moved to southern California in the late 1950s where she grew up and started a family. She raised four sons and has lived in Lake County since 1990.
 
Becker has always had a passion for life, people, children and animals. She was shy in school, but when it came to her art classes she felt right at home and knew her calling. She devoted her life to her children who always came first, and once they were grown, she found time again for herself.

With her passion for art rekindled, she decided to attend college taking computer and several art classes consisting of drawing and painting, learning perspective and composition and the balance of color. She has also received instruction for many years from local established artists.
 
Becker's paintings consist of still life, portraits and wildlife. She started out using pencil, charcoal and ink, then ventured into oils and pastels. She gives great attention to detail and strives for photo realism.

She has been a member of the Lake County Arts Council for over 20 years and has shown her work in the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport, California several times. She also participates in many art groups and competitions, mainly online.

Recently she placed fourth in the American Art Awards, which is juried by 25 American art galleries. She also received a Special Merit Award in the All Women Art Exhibition through the Art, Space and Time Online Art Gallery. For several years, she was a member of the American Academy of Women Artists being featured in Southwest Art Magazine.

Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artist's shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.

The Becker art show will be on display for the full month of May.
 
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m., and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.