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NASA's upcoming mission to investigate the habitability of Jupiter's icy moon Europa now has a formal name: Europa Clipper.

The moniker harkens back to the clipper ships that sailed across the oceans of Earth in the 19th century. Clipper ships were streamlined, three-masted sailing vessels renowned for their grace and swiftness. These ships rapidly shuttled tea and other goods back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean and around globe.

In the grand tradition of these classic ships, the Europa Clipper spacecraft would sail past Europa at a rapid cadence, as frequently as every two weeks, providing many opportunities to investigate the moon up close.

The prime mission plan includes 40 to 45 flybys, during which the spacecraft would image the moon's icy surface at high resolution and investigate its composition and the structure of its interior and icy shell.

Europa has long been a high priority for exploration because it holds a salty liquid water ocean beneath its icy crust.

The ultimate aim of Europa Clipper is to determine if Europa is habitable, possessing all three of the ingredients necessary for life: liquid water, chemical ingredients, and energy sources sufficient to enable biology.

"During each orbit, the spacecraft spends only a short time within the challenging radiation environment near Europa. It speeds past, gathers a huge amount of science data, then sails on out of there," said Robert Pappalardo, Europa Clipper project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Previously, when the mission was still in the conceptual phase, it was sometimes informally called Europa Clipper, but NASA has now adopted that name as the former title for the mission.

The mission is being planned for launch in the 2020s, arriving in the Jupiter system after a journey of several years.

JPL manages the mission for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

For more information about NASA's Europa Clipper mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/europa .

For many people, the benefit of Daylight Saving Time is the arrival of more daylight, spring time and more time outdoors.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. encourages its customers to emphasize savings – not just daylight, but dollars, too.

Checking the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors remains sound advice, and could save your life, but it’s also the time of year to save energy.

Here are 10 sunny suggestions that could turn Daylight Saving Time into dollar saving time:

– Check the timers on your automatic lighting inside and outside of your home as longer days mean you’ll need less lighting. In less than six weeks, Californians will have sunlight for more than 13 hours.
– Check the timer on your outdoor sprinklers, too, to make sure you’re applying the right amount of water at the right times.
– Get your pool and hot tub ready for summer and make sure that pumps and vacuums are working properly. Get $100 for replacing an old pool pump with a more energy-efficient version. Visit www.pge.com/pools .
– Take a few minutes to complete a free, online Home Energy Checkup to see what savings are possible.
– If you have an electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid, check out PG&E’s EV rate plans to make sure you’re “fueling up” in the most economical way possible. Visit www.pge.com/ev .
– If you’re in the market for a new appliance, remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® label. These products use about half as much energy as other devices and can help our customers save big on energy costs.
– Visit PG&E Marketplace to explore our one-stop shop for all energy-saving appliances and consumer electronics.
– Check if your new purchase qualifies for a rebate with the retailer or PG&E.
– For certain income-qualified customers, the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and the Energy Savings Assistance Program help save money and energy.
– Sign up for PG&E’s Bill Forecast Alerts to help you budget for your energy costs. It takes less than five minutes.  

And, just as a reminder, Daylight Saving Time starts on March 12, so be sure to spring forward.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Millie was born Nov. 2, 1959, in Lakeport, Calif. She passed away Feb. 23, 2017.

She was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Lucille Hill.

In March of 1969, Millie was a poster child for Easter Seals, representing crippled children. She was one of the first students to attend Happy Day School on Argonaut Road.

Millie competed in Special Olympics for many years. She enjoyed playing basketball and team bowling. Millie would proudly tote her own ball and shoes to each match.

As a young person, Millie enjoyed latch hook, crossword puzzles and coloring. She loved to regularly travel with a select group of friends. They would camp, attend Disneyland and go on other exciting adventures. One year they even went on a cruise.

She was a huge lover of music and could be caught boogying to whatever music was playing. Millie loved to attend the monthly dinner dances for the developmentally disabled held at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church hosted by a PTO.

She attended People Services, and even had a special program that was tailored for her needs. Millie enjoyed attending the annual People Services Chicken-Que, held each summer for fundraising.

Millie is survived by her brother Louis and family. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Donations in Millieʼs memory may be made to People Services Inc.  4195 Lakeshore Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – John Torquemada, 89, of Kelseyville, Calif., passed away on March 8, 2017, in Medford, Ore.

John was born Dec. 10, 1927, in Decoto, Calif., to Antonio and Paula (Sanchez) Torquemada.

He graduated from Washington High School in 1945. On Aug. 9, 1956, he married the former Felisa (Phyllis) Dominguez in Rosario, Argentina.

In his lifetime, John was employed as restaurateur/owner of Johnnie’s Hot Dogs in Niles, laborer for Martin & Diaz Construction (Decoto), manufacturer at Occidental Stove Co. (Fremont), and a custodian, building and grounds foreman, and later, superintendent of facilities and maintenance for the Fremont Unified School District.

He retired in 1983, and spent the rest of his life enjoying the outdoors, family and friends. He was an avid outdoorsman, chasing deer, diving for abalone, and single-handedly reducing the salmon and steelhead stocks from California to Alaska.

He also enjoyed birdwatching, gardening and spending time with his children and grandchildren. John was the kind of guy that would give a stranger the shirt off his back.

John is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his three sons, Rich Torquemada (Cherie Peacock) of Stevensville, Mont., Dan Torquemada (Sandra) of Mt Shasta City, Calif., Mike Torquemada (Heather) of McKinleyville, Calif.; five grandchildren, Jake, Kelley, Kyle, Alex and Emily Torquemada; his sisters, Antenette Diaz and Josie George of Union City, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tony and Harold; and sisters, Theresa Martin and Mary Torquemada.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 North High St., Lakeport, on Saturday, March 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Military funeral honors will be at 3:30 p.m. with Father Mario Valencia officiating a Rosary service at 4 p.m. Burial will follow on March 20 at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Robert “Bob” Hunter passed away on Feb. 24, 2017, from complications resulting from COPD.

Bob was 73 years old and was residing in Lakeport with his partner Patricia Cota when he took his last struggled breath.

Bob had four children - Tammy, Patty, Jefferson and Molly. From those children he had seven grandchildren, Amanda, Dalton, Caitlin, Dakota, Maele, Kekoa and Coralani. And from those grandchildren, one great grandchild, Knox.

He smiled first and asked questions later. He offered warm acceptance for anyone and everyone no matter who they were or where they were from. His optimistic laugh was contagious and irresistible. His propensities for kindness and joy were what made him the man he was. That kind of virtue has a lasting and positive effect on humanity. It helped make us who we are.

Bob was born in Maywood, Calif., on May 8, 1943, to James Robert Hunter and Helen Henrietta Nicholson.

Before he had turned 2, his mother had passed away and his father had run off never to be heard from again. This left him and his 7-year-old sister Sandra in a very rough situation until they were adopted by his Aunt Eva and her husband James W. Nickell.

After a few years in East LA, they migrated up north to Lake County, Calif. Although Bob (known as “Ivory Joe” among his friends) never finished school, he did go on to have a long and diligent career as a garbage man, a heavy equipment operator and a school bus driver.

His later years were spent farming, playing Frisbee and embracing his new found roll as a grandpa. His biggest accomplishment in life was the number of people he touched with his joy and kindness, and that positive impact is indelible and will not be forgotten.

Bob was laid to final rest at Kelseyville Cemetery next to his sister Sandra Noreen Jones on March 3, 2017. Forever in our Hearts.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Heather Brodie passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her closest friends.

She was a resident of Lake County and often enjoyed jogging and hiking around the many scenic areas. 

She was an avid reader, loved animals, nature and socializing with her friends.

She will be dearly missed.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .