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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Valley fire, health care, the upcoming election and important legislation all were topics on Saturday night when Congressman Mike Thompson hosted his annual ravioli feed.
Hundreds of people were on hand for the popular 25th annual event, held this year for the first time at Boatique Wines in Kelseyville.
Owned by Robert and Madi Mount, the venue overlooks Mt. Konocti and features classic cars and antique wooden boats that Thompson called works of art.
The popular fundraiser dinner for the Fifth Congressional District representative once again drew people from all across the political spectrum, who came out to enjoy local wines and a pasta dinner served by local officials, and hear from Thompson about what he's working on in Washington, DC.
This year, the Valley fire was a key topic, and Thompson invited forward Carol Huchingson, who takes over next month as the new county administrative officer, to share an update.
“This has been my passion,” Huchingson said of the fire recovery.
In addition to her longtime role as county Social Services director, Huchingson volunteered last fall to take on the task of the county's recovery coordinator.
A Hidden Valley Lake resident, Huchingson recounted seeing the destruction of the fire in her own community, even on her own street.
Huchingson shared with the group the results of a recent survey of Valley fire survivors.
She said the survey received more than 400 responses, which revealed that 67 percent of survivors are still living in Lake County. Up until the survey was complete, Huchingson said county officials didn't have a solid idea of where many of the survivors had gone.
Huchingson said 56 percent of respondents indicated they will rebuild, 20 percent said they won't and 24 percent said they are unsure.
“Rebuilding really is under way,” she said, noting that dozens of permits for new homes have been issued. There also are 66 temporary structures in the fire area and 50 manufactured housing units from the Federal Emergency Management Agency housing survivors.
During his remarks, Thompson noted, “This fire was horrific. It was absolutely horrific.”
He added, “I've never seen anything like this before in my life.”
All of Lake County changed overnight as a result of the fire, Thompson said.
Thompson was in Georgia when the fire broke out on Sept. 12. He said he flew back to Lake County right away, recalling the devastation he found when he arrived with his longtime district representative, Brad Onorato.
He credited the county's residents for the exceptional way they came together in the time of crisis. “Everyone had their shoulders to the wheel.”
Surrounding communities also offered assistance, including Thompson's home county of Napa, which opened its fairgrounds for fire evacuees.
Thompson gave special recognition to the first responders, volunteers, Pacific Gas and Electric, and the government officials from all levels who were part of the response.
Among that last group, Thompson singled out Supervisor Rob Brown and Sheriff Brian Martin for their extraordinary efforts in the response and recovery.
Thompson said the Lake County Winegrape Commission and the Lake County Winery Association created the Lake County Rising effort, which has raised $800,000 in fire assistance. In a Washington, DC event, Thompson also was able to raise $100,000 toward that effort by auctioning off Lake County wines.
Lake County Rising is holding a fundraising event at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena on Sunday, Thompson noted.
He went on to outline the millions in federal assistance that has been granted – including $16 million in small business loans.
Thompson pledged to remain with the county as the recovery continues. “We'll get through this. We'll get it done.”
Moving on to other priority issues, Thompson said Social Security and Medicare need to be preserved for generations ahead, veterans must get the help they need when they return home and afterward, and the nation needs a strong health care system.
He said the Affordable Care Act has resulted in 20 million people signing up for health care who didn't have it before.
While there have been more than 65 votes by Congress to repeal the act, “It's not going to be repealed,” he said.
Rather than spending time trying to overturn the legislation, Thompson suggested it would be better to fix the parts of it that need fixing. He said he sponsored such legislation to extend a provision allowing doctors to make home visits under certain circumstances.
He said he also intends to continue working to prevent gun violence and keep mentally ill people from acquiring firearms.
Regarding the country's education system, Thompson said there is growing need for more strength in math and the sciences, with the nation needing 2.3 million new scientists.
Thompson said he wants to make sure people have opportunities as a result of their education. “That's what it's all about.”
Last week he spoke to Kate Rubins, a Napa native who will lift off on June 21 on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to join the crew of the International Space Station.
He said Rubins has dreamed of going to space since she was a child. She went on to get her education in the sciences when the opportunity to join the National Aeronautics and Space Administrative came up. Her educational background allowed her dreams to become a reality.
“I want every kid to be able to live their dreams,” said Thompson.
Thompson also touched on the dedication which he attended earlier in the day for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which encompasses some 331,000 acres in Lake, Napa, Yolo, Mendocino and Solano counties.
For many years Thompson had sponsored legislation to create the monument before launching an effort to get President Barack Obama to use his executive power to make the monument designation, which he did in July.
In his remarks Thompson also touched briefly on the upcoming presidential election, saying that the country can't allow candidates to further divide it.
He called the current presidential race a “very, very serious” situation, adding that the angriest voices in the nation can't be allowed to choose the next president.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a full shelter of dogs needing new homes this week.
The dogs offered for adoption this week include mixes of American Staffordshire Terrier, border collie, boxer, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, hound, husky, Labrador Retriever, spaniel, terrier and pit bull.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
'Joe'
“Joe” is an older male Labrador Retriever.
He's got a short coat chocolate-colored coat.
He's in kennel No. 2, ID No. 4518.
Female Chihuahua mix
This older female Chihuahua mix has a short tan coat.
She's in kennel No. 3, ID No. 4555.
Pit bull terrier mix
This male pit bull terrier mix has a short black coat with white markings.
Shelter staff said he is very sweet and submission, and is great with other dogs both male and female. Very sweet and submissive. Because he is very undersocialized it's suggested that he go home with an experienced owner.
He's in kennel No.4, ID No. 4511.
Female boxer mix
This female boxer mix has a short gray coat with white markings.
She's in kennel No. 5, ID No. 4551.
'Momma-Doo'
“Momma-Doo” is a female pit bull terrier mix.
She has a short brown coat with white markings, and a winning grin.
She's in kennel No. 6, ID No. 4552.
Male German Shepherd
This male German Shepherd has a sable, black and tan coat.
He's in kennel No. 7, ID No. 4565.
Female pit bull terrier mix
This young female pit bull terrier mix has a short all-white coat.
She's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 4572.
Male pit bull terrier mix
This young male pit bull terrier mix has a short black coat with white markings.
He's energetic and loves to play.
He's in kennel No. 18, ID No. 4491.
American Staffordshire Terrier puppy
This American Staffordshire Terrier puppy has a white coat with tan and black markings.
He's in kennel No. 19, ID No. 4566.
Pit bull-husky mix
This male pit bull-husky mix puppy has a short multicolored coat.
He's in kennel No. 20, ID No. 4561.
Male pit bull terrier mix
This male pit bull terrier mix has a short gray and white coat.
He is energetic and likes to play.
Shelter staff said he is good with dogs his same size, and would do best in a home with no cats or small dogs. He loves people.
He's in kennel No. 21, ID No. 4432.
'Buddy'
“Buddy” is a handsome male shepherd-pit bull terrier mix with a short tricolor coat.
Shelter staff said he would do great in a home without livestock.
He's in kennel No. 22, ID No. 4487.
Male German Shepherd
This handsome male German Shepherd has a short tan and black coat.
Shelter staff said he is good with other larger dogs, male or female, and would do best in a home with no small dogs or cats and children above age 5.
He's friendly and likes to play.
He's in kennel No. 23, ID No. 4514.
Female pit bull mix
This female pit bull mix has a short gray and white coat.
She's in kennel No. 25, ID No. 4588.
Labrador Retriever-spaniel mix
This young male Labrador Retriever-spaniel mix has a black coat with white markings.
Shelter staff said he is a fun, playful boy who is great with other dogs, male and female.
He needs basic training and will make a great family pet.
He's in kennel No. 26, ID No. 4541.
Labrador Retriever puppy
This male Labrador Retriever mix puppy has a short black coat with white markings.
He's in kennel No. 28, ID No. 4423.
Female pit bull mix
This female pit bull mix has a short brown brindle coat with white markings.
She loves cuddles and attention, and does very cute play bows, enjoys playing and is great with other dogs, but would do best in a home without cats.
She's in kennel No. 29, ID No. 4337.
Labrador Retriever-pit bull mix
This female Labrador Retriever-pit bull mix has a short black coat with white markings.
Shelter staff said she's an adorable girl is who is very sweet, great with other dogs – male and female – and very submissive.
She's in kennel No. 31, ID No. 4486.
Male Labrador Retriever
This male Labrador Retriever has a short yellow coat.
Shelter staff said he appeared to be suffering from some deafness.
He is very friendly and gets along with other dogs.
He's in kennel No. 32, ID No. 4545.
'Tank'
“Tank” is a male border collie mix, according to shelter staff.
He has a short black coat.
Shelter staff said he's great with other submissive dogs.
He's in kennel No. 33, ID No. 4497.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
When the Space Age began more than 50 years ago, explorers were eager to visit the planets of the solar system. As the years have passed, however, astronomers have realized that the moons of the solar system may be even more interesting.
Many of these moons are “water worlds”– and planetary scientists, like golden retrievers, always follow the water.
“On Earth, where there is water, there is life,” said Brian Day of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. “It doesn’t matter if it’s boiling hot like the bubbling acid hot-springs in Yellowstone National Park or frigid like the waters of the Arctic.”
Consider Enceladus, a tiny moon floating just outside Saturn's rings. This little wonderland features a vast underground ocean that could be friendly to microbial life.
That ocean is capped by a thick crust of ice. Yet, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft found Enceladus busily puffing plumes of water vapor, icy particles, and organic compounds out through fissures in its frozen outer shell. Cassini has actually flown through these plumes a few times, sniffing out their composition.
Day said, “The exciting results from Cassini have researchers designing possible future missions that would provide more detailed analyses of Enceladus’ water and look for potential signatures of life.”
Titan, another of Saturn’s moons, is shrouded in a thick atmosphere of nitrogen and methane. There is evidence that Titan, like Enceladus, has a sea of water beneath its icy shell. But Titan’s frigid surface is mosaicked with lakes of liquid methane and ethane.
Day noted, “It's the only body in the solar system other than Earth with substantial liquid on its surface.”
The seas of Titan intrigue astrobiologists. Here on Earth, our seas are teeming with life – and indeed the seas may be where life began. What kind of life might arise in the alien seas of Titan? The exotic environment of hydrocarbon seas could teach astrobiologists a lot about the basic chemistry critical to the formation of life.
More water worlds with icy shells are found at Jupiter. Europa, Ganymede, and perhaps Callisto also show strong evidence of liquid water oceans beneath their global ice crusts. Day would most like to “dive in” at Europa.
“This is a big world – much bigger than Enceladus and even bigger than any of the ‘dwarf planets.' Europa’s ocean is a significant body of water with amazing potential for life,” Day said.
In fact Europa has twice as much liquid water as Earth, and like the water of Enceladus, it might be accessible.
“There is some evidence that Europa may have periodic eruptions of plumes of water, similar to those seen on Enceladus,” said Day. “We’ve even seen apparent icebergs on the surface that are tipped up as if sitting in slush. All of these provide us with tantalizing clues of what lies beneath – an ocean of liquid water.”
Meanwhile, orbiting Jupiter not far from Europa, is a completely different kind of satellite:
“Io,” said Day, “is the most volcanically active body in our solar system.”
Io gets its fiery warmth from tidal heating – that is, a back and forth stretching of the moon’s interior caused by Jupiter’s intense gravity.
“Each moon is stretched and pulled differently, causing varying rates of tidal heating,” said Day. “Orbiting more closely to Jupiter than the other Galilean moons, Io is stretched the most – hence its volcanism. Europa, next closest to Jupiter, is stretched less, followed in order by Ganymede and Callisto.”
Day continued, “Tidal heating is a source of energy that can melt ice and expand the potential for life. It creates a ‘habitable zone’ among the moons of Jupiter, with Europa sitting squarely in the middle.”
Planets are exciting, but there’s an even greater number of amazing moons in the solar system.
Said Day: “The lure is irresistible, and the potential is amazing. It’s time for us to go!”
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the Eastern and Southeastern Pomo Indians, along with other native peoples, used clamshell beads for trade.
Along with the beads' use as a medium for trade, clamshell bead necklaces signified wealth in those communities.
Although trade and use of bead necklaces were different in the various communities, according to the writings of the 1926 Edward Winslow Gifford papers, it was ascertained that there were expeditions to Bodega Bay by the Southeastern Pomo Indians. Then, they would bring back packs weighing up to 100 pounds full of clamshells.
Differing accounts were given of the type of trade items exchanged, but they could include bows, obsidian arrowheads, salt cakes, feathers or skins.
Taken from my historical novella, “People of the Water”: “Plans for the journey to the sea were made well in advance. The men from the village readied their carrying baskets by packing much in the way of trade goods. They packed acorns, skins, fish, obsidian and magnesite beads. These unique, cylindrical beads were made from a special stone. Some were worn by the wealthy, and some beads were incorporated into decoration on baskets. They also brought striking strands of painstakingly crafted clamshell beads.
“These beads were part of their monetary system, and an important commodity. Large strands of beads designated wealth in the community. The process of bead-making required much time, and was not an easy task. To the contrary, it was a specialized occupation. The shells were first collected, then broken into pieces. They were then smoothed into disc shapes by rubbing the shells on the rough surface of a stone. Next, a hole was drilled in the center of the bead. When the beads were strung, they could be smoothed into uniform and rounded shapes.
“The profession of bead-making was inherited. The process was undertaken with utmost care. The bead-maker was sure to rise early in the morning to complete his task, having abstained from meat beforehand. It was important for the process of clamshell bead-making to take place outside the house. If this taboo were to be broken, then certainly the drill would break. The drill-bit was typically flaked from flint, while the string for the pump-drill was often made from sturdy woven grasses, or leather. In times past another type of drill was in use. It was a shaft which was rolled back and forth, by hand, on the bead maker's leg. When completed, the beads were carefully polished to a sheen on deerskin, each disc standing out like a full, white moon on a black, star-lit night."
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on Saturday joined with hundreds of community members and local leaders to dedicate the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which was designated by President Barack Obama on July 10, 2015, to protect nearly 331,000 acres of public lands in Northern California.
The dedication and spring festival took place at Cowboy Camp, a popular recreation area for hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and wildlife enthusiasts near the town of Williams.
Secretary Jewell was joined by Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze, California State Director for the Bureau of Land Management Jerry Perez, U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird, Sen. Lois Wolk, Assemblyman Bill Dodd and other community and conservation leaders.
“It’s a great day to celebrate the culmination of more than a decade of work to protect this stunning landscape so its beauty and richness will be passed on to future generations,” said Secretary Jewell. “The president’s action to recognize Berryessa Snow Mountain as a national monument is a testament to this community’s vision and dedication. We expect the designation will boost local economies through increased tourism from families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure, recreation, and solitude that only nature can provide.”
“Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument provides an important balance between Northern California's urban environments of Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area and the wild, remote landscapes that surround the farms, ranches, orchards and vineyards that nourish our nation,” said Chief Tidwell. “The balance is important because it helps ensure these lands continue to serve the region and nation as a sustainable, working landscape that supports local economies and critical resources from fresh water and grazing lands to recreation areas and habitat for important plant, fish and wildlife species.”
The monument extends almost 100 miles from Berryessa Peak and other lands in Napa, Yolo, and Solano counties through the spectacular lands of Lake, Colusa and Glenn counties to the eastern boundary of the Yuki Wilderness in Mendocino County.
The landscape rises from near sea level in the south to over 7,000 feet in the north, and encompasses diverse landscapes including steep canyons, scenic rivers, rolling oak woodlands and elaborate springtime wildflower displays.
Miles of hiking, horseback riding, and designated off-road vehicle trails offer visitors views of the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east and the Coastal Mountains to the west, as well as panoramic vistas overlooking Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa, and the steep canyon of Cache Creek. Hunting and angling are popular activities year-round.
The Cache Creek, Cedar Rough and Snow Mountain wilderness areas provide opportunities for remote backcountry travel and Cache Creek provides the closest commercial whitewater rafting to San Francisco.
The new monument contains one of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity in California and is home to threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species including northern spotted owls, marten, and fisher. California Coastal Chinook salmon and Northern California steelhead spawn in the area’s waterways.
The region’s proximity to population centers such as Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Rosa make the area an important recreation setting for millions of Northern California residents.
An independent study estimates an increase in visitors could bring up to $26 million in new economic activity to local economies over the next five years.
A study by the Winters Chamber of Commerce found protected public lands are major contributors to our country’s $646 billion outdoor recreation economy. In California alone, more than half of all residents participate in outdoor recreation each year, supporting more than 700,000 jobs and generating more than $6 billion for our state’s economy.
The proclamation allows for continued historic uses of the area, including hunting, fishing and livestock grazing, which will be managed under existing rules and regulations.
The designation does not alter or affect valid water rights, rights of way or existing special use permits or commercial activities on public land, as long as they are consistent with the care and management of the objects and resources protected by the designation.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will continue to be managed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
The agencies will jointly prepare a management plan for the monument in an open process with maximum public involvement from federal, state and local government, community members and interested stakeholders.
In December 2014, Secretary Jewell, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, and USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie visited the Berryessa Snow Mountain area at the request of U.S. Representative Mike Thompson to hear from the community about their vision for conservation in the region.
Since 2012, Congressman Thompson and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer have introduced legislation to protect this area.
The boundary declared by the president’s designation follows the approach contained in legislation introduced in February of 2014, following extensive public outreach and engagement by the congressman.
“After years of tireless work by countless numbers of people, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region finally has the permanent protection it deserves,” said Congressman Thompson. “It was an honor to join those who have been incredible partners and supporters in this effort at today’s dedication ceremony.”
The Bureau of Land Management’s National Conservation Lands contain some of the West’s most spectacular landscapes.
They include more than 873 federally recognized areas comprising approximately 32 million acres of National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic and Historic Trails, and Conservation Lands of the California Desert.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Six months after the third most destructive wildland fire in California history began in Lake County, Cal Fire investigators have not yet settled on a final cause.
The Valley fire began on Sept. 12 and burned for nearly a month, scorching approximately 76,067 acres in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.
There were four confirmed deaths and nearly 2,000 residences – including about 1,300 homes – were destroyed as thousands were evacuated from their homes.
The fire was dispatched just before 1:30 p.m. Sept. 12 as a vegetation and structure fire at 8015 High Valley Road in the Cobb area.
While the investigation into what sparked the fire began soon after the incident began, on Friday Fire Capt. Amy Head of Cal fire told Lake County News that the agency hasn't completed its inquiry into the fire's cause.
As to when the investigation might be finalized, Head said she couldn't give an estimate of the time it might take.
She said the agency has been getting a lot of requests about the cause, and she hoped the investigation would be completed soon.
Email Elizabeth Larson at