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LAKEPORT, Calif. – At its meeting next week the Lakeport Planning Commission will discuss addressing inconsistencies between the city's general plan and zoning ordinance.
The commission will meet beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Documents for the meeting can be found at http://www.cityoflakeport.com/departments/docs.aspx?deptID=68&catID=31 .
The main item on the agenda is the commission's review and discussion of staff recommendations for addressing existing land use mapping inconsistencies between the general plan and zoning ordinance citywide.
Associate Planner Dan Chance's report for the meeting explained that the commission previously had reviewed the inconsistencies issue at a June meeting.
He said the inconsistencies reflect parcels with a zoning designation that is significantly different from the general plan designation.
His report also lists 22 different changes to be made to address those issues.
Staff is asking for commission direction to begin notifying affected property owners and the general public of the proposed changes to correct the inconsistencies.
Also on the meeting's agenda will be a presentation of appreciation to Commissioner Tom Gayner for his dedication and service to the city.
In other business, the commission will get an update on current projects pending approval by the city's planning department as of Dec. 8.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
When searching for a specific holiday gift, it’s tempting to jump at the best offer you find. But be careful, the great deal you’re about to get might be a counterfeit item.
Every product is vulnerable to counterfeiting, especially brand-named clothing items and accessories, sports apparel and concert/event tickets.
According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office, global imports of counterfeit and pirated goods are worth nearly $500 billion a year, with many of the proceeds going to organized crime.
Unfortunately, the US is hit the hardest by trade in fake goods. Counterfeit products are bad for the economy and can even endanger lives – the OECD warns of toys that harm children, auto parts that fail, pharmaceuticals that sicken people and medical instruments that deliver incorrect readings.
The prevalence of counterfeit goods also takes a toll on consumers. So far in 2016, around 350 counterfeit product scams have been reported to Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker – with a median loss of $188.
To avoid accidentally purchasing a counterfeit product while holiday gift shopping, follow these six tips from your BBB:
1. Shop in established stores and on reputable websites. Try to shop at the brand’s own store or website or at an authorized retailer. If you’re not familiar with a website or business, make sure to look it up at www.bbb.org first to see its rating, complaint history, and reviews from past customers. Ensure that any website where you’re shopping is legitimate: hover over links, make sure the spelling and grammar is professional, and double check the URL and logo. It’s easy for scammers to create a fake website imitating a brand in an attempt to phish consumers.
2. Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you see an ad for an expensive accessory at an alarmingly low price, be careful. The steep discount may be because it’s counterfeit. Don’t click on ads you see online or follow links in unsolicited emails. Even if the email or ad is from a brand you’ve heard of, look up the URL independently because it may be phishing.
3. Be careful buying from online marketplaces. When you make a purchase through an online marketplace like eBay or Craigslist, you can’t inspect the item before buying it. This increases the odds of buying a counterfeit. If possible, inspect the item in person, and take it to an expert if it’s a big-ticket item like jewelry or art.
4. Buy sports merchandise that’s officially licensed. You can find authentic licensed merchandise and official retailers and resellers on the official website of your favorite team or league. Authentic apparel will always have the correct fonts, colors and spelling, attached tags will usually have hologram stickers, and there won’t be any loose threads or other signs of poor quality.
5. Make sure your transactions are secure. Don’t make a purchase unless you’re sure the transaction is secure. Businesses that sell counterfeit goods may also have poor security. Look for “https:”, where the “s” stands for secure, and other trust marks. Websites should also have a privacy policy.
6. What to do if you do buy a fake. Consumer Reports, a BBB Accredited Charity, advises that you not resell a counterfeit item as it could expose you to criminal prosecution. They also say that you’re legally entitled to a refund or legitimate version, no matter what the seller’s return policy is.
The bottom line: trust your instincts.
If you’re uncomfortable with some aspect of your purchase or if something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to just walk away. If you stumble upon a counterfeit item, report it! Consumers play an important role in advancing marketplace trust.
If you receive spam that directs you to a suspicious Web site or counterfeit product, report the info to the brand owner, the authorities and BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker/ .
Rebecca Harpster works for the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Blood Centers of the Pacific is partnering with fire departments across Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino counties for the 11th annual Bucket Brigade Challenge.
The challenge runs from December through January and is a friendly competition to see which department can host the largest blood drive.
Fire departments taking part in the challenge enlist neighbors, co-workers, friends and family to donate lifesaving blood during the holiday season.
In Lake County, Lakeport Fire and South Lake County Fire will participate.
In Lakeport, the blood drive will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the truck bay of the Lakeport Fire downtown station, 445 N Main St.
In Middletown, South Lake County Fire will host the blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at its station, 21095 State Highway 175.
With the rainy weather, busy holiday schedules and flu season, winter is a challenging time for blood centers to receive the blood they need to save the lives of hospital patients.
“Blood Centers of the Pacific is grateful for the continued dedication of our fire personnel,” said BCP recruitment manager Andrea Casson. “For over 10 years, they have helped to keep our blood supply strong. Through the generosity of blood donors, the Bucket Brigade Challenge ultimately helps provide hope to local patients and their families.”
Since 2006, fire departments have recruited over 9,000 participants who donated thousands of units of blood for patients in Northern California hospitals.
Last year, Windsor Fire Protection District took home the coveted Bucket Trophy with 112 people registered, and Healdsburg Fire Department came in second with 70 registrants.
Capt. Dean Crothers of Windsor Fire said blood donation is full circle, adding “as a first responder it makes it more special, we can see the need at an emergency scene.”
Crothers encourages community participation: “I’m proud of the firefighters and proud of the community. Come down to Windsor Fire Protection District … we’ll save lives together, feed you, hang out and put the game on TV.”
The idea of the Bucket Brigade comes from the Great London Fire of 1666 that found community members in “brigades” as they passed buckets of water from the city’s water supply to the blaze that endangered their town and community.
This modern day Bucket Brigade gathers our community in an effort to save lives through blood donations.
Retired Fire Chief Doug Williams of Rincon Valley and Windsor Fire said, “To the firefighters, the Bucket Brigade is a continuation of supporting the community’s need to save lives. It is different than being hands-on with the fire hoses, but just as important to provide blood to the local hospitals. From our perspective, it is saving lives.”
Multiple fire departments are hosting blood drives. To find one near you, please see the complete list below. To make an appointment, visit www.bloodheroes.com or call 888.393.GIVE (4483). For your donation, please arrive well hydrated and nourished with photo identification. For eligibility information, visit www.bloodcenters.org . Donors will receive a special event T-shirt.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Join Middletown Art Center Artists and members for their second annual Members Holiday Show Opening Reception and the new Holiday Art Market.
The festivities begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and continue until 8 p.m.
Enjoy browsing a unique display of Lake Made original artwork and art objects by local artists.
The MAC Member's Holiday Show Opening Reception is part of the Christmas in Middletown celebration, and a passport station.
Lake County wines and sparkling apple cider will also be available for purchase by the glass.
“Patrons can purchase artwork at MAC during this holiday season and receive 5 percent off or 10 percent off for MAC members. And, they are supporting Lake County arts and culture, the MAC venue, and our local economy.“ said Lisa Kaplan, director at MAC. ”Give the lasting gift of art to your friends and loved ones!”
The Members Holiday Show features diverse works by MAC member artists and runs through Jan. 15.
The Middletown Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to promoting community and economic recovery in South Lake County after the 2015 fires through the arts and culture.
MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175, at the junction of Highways 29 and 175 in Middletown.
MAC offers an array of memberships, child and adult classes in the arts, performance opportunities and a new Cinema Club.
Visit MAC and enjoy work by contemporary Lake County Artists. The gallery is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. MAC will be closed this week until Dec. 10 when the exhibit opens at 4 p.m.
When you support MAC through membership donations or purchases of art work, you help support a local creative community.
Learn more or contribute to a burgeoning Lake County arts scene at www.Middletownartcenter.org or call 707-809-8118.
SACRAMENTO – With seasonal rains promoting the growth of wild mushrooms, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is reminding people that collecting and eating hazardous wild mushrooms can lead to serious illness and even death.
“It is difficult to distinguish between wild mushrooms that are poisonous and those which are safe to eat,” said Dr. Smith. “Wild mushrooms should not be eaten unless they have been carefully examined and determined to be edible by a mushroom expert.”
Wild mushroom poisoning continues to make people ill and send them to the hospital. According to the California Poison Control System (CPCS), 679 cases of ingestion were reported statewide from November 2015 to October 2016.
Among those cases:
• Three suffered a major health outcome, such as liver failure leading to coma and/or a liver transplant, or kidney failure requiring dialysis.
• 50 suffered a moderate health outcome, such as dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, or injury to the liver or kidney.
• 348 were children under six years of age. Usually the children ate a small amount of a mushrooms growing in yards or neighborhood parks.
• 415 were treated at a health care facility.
• Eight were admitted to an intensive care unit.
The most serious illnesses and deaths have been linked primarily to wild mushrooms known to cause liver damage, including Amanita phalloides (shown above), also known as the “death cap” and Amanita ocreata (shown at left), or “destroying angel.” These and other poisonous mushrooms grow in some parts of California year-round, but are most commonly found during fall, late winter or spring.
Eating poisonous mushrooms can cause abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage or death.
Anyone who develops symptoms after eating wild mushrooms should seek immediate medical attention.
People who develop these symptoms, or their treating health care providers, should immediately contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Local mycological societies offer educational resources about mushroom identification, and may be able to help people identify mushrooms they have picked.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The monthly mini book sale will take place in the Middletown Library hallway on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prices range from $1 for hardcover and $0.50 for paperback. Books are in excellent condition and great for gift giving.
All proceeds are for the purchase of new books and supplies for the Middletown Library.
The children’s library fundraiser is ongoing and doing well. Donations are still needed to reach goal of $10,000.
Send donations (big or small) to Friends of Middletown Library, P.O. Box 57, Middletown, CA 95461, or drop off at library. Funds will be used for children’s and young adults’ books, DVDs, etc.
The board of directors is looking for directors. If interested, come to the meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 4 p.m., held in the Middletown Library Community Room.
The Middletown Library is located at 21256 Washington St.