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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Following Lower Lake High's homecoming festivities, this week the homecoming celebration moves to Lakeport, where there will be a parade and football games.
As part of homecoming week, the Clear Lake High School Student Council will host its third annual powder puff flag football game on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
The community is invited to the game, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Don Owens Stadium, 350 Lange St.
This twist on a traditional football experience features girls playing instead of the boys.
This year’s flag football game will feature a team comprised of seniors and freshman pitted against a team of juniors and sophomores.
Varsity football players coach and the boys cheerlead.
The winning team will win ultimate bragging rights and spirit points for its respective classes.
Admission costs $1 per person. There will also be a snack shack with concessions for sale.
All proceeds will go to the Clear Lake High School Student Council.
Other highlights of homecoming week will include “Pajama Day” on Monday, Sports Jersey Day on Tuesday, class color day on Wednesday, Throwback Thursday and Cardinal and Black day on Friday, as well as a weeklong competition among classes for spirit points.
On Friday, homecoming festivities will include the annual homecoming parade, which will make its way through downtown Lakeport beginning at 3:45 p.m.
The route follows Main Street in Lakeport, starting at 10th and Main streets, and travels south to Forbes.
Best viewing of the class floats is from the west side of Main, and there will be judges set up on the block of Museum Park.
Homecoming courts also will be in the parade along with other Clear Lake High School club and class floats.
The homecoming football game is Friday night, with the Clear Lake Cardinals to play the Cloverdale Eagles.
The junior varsity game starts at 5:30 p.m., with the varsity game starting 30 minutes after the end of the JV game, around 7:30 p.m.
The homecoming king and queen are announced during varsity halftime.
Admission is $5 for adults,. $3 for seniors and children.
There will be a concessions stand with proceeds going to the CLHS Booster Club.
There also will be a homecoming dance on Friday night.
For more details visit http://clearlakehighschool.wix.com/clear-lake-high-school/clear-lake-high-school .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTH COAST, Calif. – California High School Rodeo District 2's 2014-15 season is getting under way this week.
The first event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Willits Rodeo Arena.
The public is invited to attend an exciting, fun-filled weekend of rodeo action.
Admission is free to the public and a food booth will be hosted by the Willits Lions Club.
Contestants from the Northern California coastal counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake Sonoma, Marin and Napa compete in two divisions: Junior High Division for grades sixth through eighth and the High School Division for grades ninth through 12th.
Scheduled events include bull riding, saddle and bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, ribbon roping, breakaway roping, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, chute dogging and cutting.
CHSRA District 2 is a member of the National High School Rodeo Association, which was created to give high school students the opportunity to participate and compete in this unique and challenging sport.
This sport is not recognized by all high school athletics, but offers a program that sets high school rodeo apart from other varsity sports: These athletes compete on a scale comparable to collegiate and professional rodeo competitors.
The high school athletes have the opportunity to acquire scholarships and grants for continuing their educational careers.
The top four contestants in each state/province in each event qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo held annually in July and the National Junior High Division Finals Rodeo annually in June.
More than 1,500 contestants from each of the 46 state/province associations compete for national titles, awards and scholarships.
The National High School Rodeo Association governs the state of California's nine districts.
California High School Rodeo Association District 2 is located on the coast of Northern California and is composed of seven counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Marin and Napa.
Membership is open to any enrolled high school or junior high school student and in good standing interested in the sport of rodeo.
To become eligible for California High School Rodeo Association District 2, young athletes must maintain a 2.0 grade point average, must be in good standing with their school and shall comply with all the rules and by-laws of the National High School Rodeo Association, California High School Rodeo Association and California High School Rodeo Association District 2.
For additional information visit www.chsradist2.com .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control's cat room has several cats this week needing loving homes.
The three females and two males come in a variety of ages, with different coats and colors.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped 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 there, 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 cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
Domestic short hair mix
This female domestic short hair mix has a calico coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 72, ID No. 703.
'Bob'
“Bob” is a 3-year-old orange tabby.
He has a short coat and gold eyes, and has been neutered. Staff said he would make a great outdoor cat.
He's in cat room kennel No. 66, ID No. 625.
Female orange tabby
This female orange tabby has a medium-length coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 57, ID No. 660.
Gray tabby kitten
This female gray tabby kitten has a short coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 30, ID No. 706.
Male gray tabby
This male gray tabby has a short coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 20, ID No. 676.
Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .
Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – In August, in extreme heat, there were at least two rescues of hiking groups in our region.
Heat stroke is definitely life threatening and we are pleased that all are now safe. Thank you to our emergency personnel.
But, let’s be perfectly clear: These rescues should never have been needed.
One of my goals in writing this column is to prevent the need for rescues, which can be avoided and put people unnecessarily at risk.
They also can be expensive and they take vital emergency personnel and resources away from our communities where they may be needed.
Check the weather. Don’t hike on high temperature days. Take lots of water. Be prepared to turn around when temps increase and water runs low.
I plan my hikes carefully. I am on the trail when the sun comes up. I know my route. I take lots of water and sunscreen, and wear a hat. I am off the trail by 11 a.m. on hot days. Please, be safe!
One way to learn about the hikes in our region and to learn about hiking is to first go with others.
Tuleyome, the Sierra Club, and many “Meet Up” groups offer hikes. Check them out. You will learn to enjoy the outdoors safely and you will meet fellow hikers.
Sometimes accidents do happen. We are truly fortunate to have dedicated public safety men and women who take time away from their families and incur personal risks to aid those in need. But let’s be sure that we take personal responsibility to avoid unnecessary rescues and do our best to let them enjoy their time at home.
Top 10 safety pointers:
1. Know where you are going – and let others know. There are maps online and trail books at outdoor stores. Plan your trip and let your family and friends know your plan. I suggest that new hikers first take trips with hiking groups in the region.
2. A whistle? Signal mirror? Cell Phone? It’s nice to be able to call for help when really necessary but keep in mind that often trails can be well out of cell phone range. Before you make that “rescue me” call, ask yourself: Is somebody injured? Is this a life-threatening emergency? Do I really need help or can I figure this out for myself?
3. Take a hat, dark glasses and sunscreen with you – and use them.
4. It is good to have some basic First Aid supplies. Super glue and duct tape are invaluable but you can also purchase small First Aid kits at outdoor stores.
5. Keep up your energy level. A sandwich, nuts, dried fruit and energy bars can give a quick boost and make for a happier hiking experience.
6. Mountain lions: attacks are extremely rare but it’s wise to be particularly aware if you’re walking with pets or children at dawn or dusk. I have not seen a mountain lion in our region (yet) but I vividly recall seeing footprints on two frost-covered steps at Cold Canyon. It was exciting and just a bit scary! And, yes, there are also rattlesnakes out there. They don’t always rattle and will generally avoid us unless startled, provoked or stepped on. Personally, I do not recommend getting closer for a photo.
7. Starting your hike late and getting “be-nighted” is not a reason for recue! Flashlights or headlamps can allow you to hike during those unplanned nights out.
8. Take lots of water; at least two quarts for a day hike. I use a water bladder and hose for sipping. Whenever I think of water or thirst I always take a sip to stay hydrated.
9. Weather can change dramatically on the trail so be prepared for everything.
10. Lastly, stay on the trails. Trails are built through careful planning and with the landscape in mind. Cutting switchbacks causes erosion and habitat destruction … and ultimately someone has to pay to repair the damage caused by inconsiderate hikers.
I want everyone to enjoy our region and to do so safely. Our first responders want to help when really needed but let’s avoid all unnecessary call-outs.
When hiking, have fun, be smart and keep safe! And, as always, don’t litter; pack out what you take in.
Tuleyome Tales is a monthly publication of Tuleyome, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization based in Woodland. Go to: www.tuleyome.org . Bob Schneider is Tuleyome’s senior policy director. He has climbed and hiked over much of the planet but now focuses much of his exploration in the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control's shelter is full of dogs of all types needing homes.
Puppies and adults, with mixes including basset hound, border collie, boxer, Chihuahua, hound, Labrador Retriever, terrier, pit bull and Welsh Corgi, are available.
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”).
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
He has a short black and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 2B, ID No. 577.
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This female pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
She has a short black and white coat.
She is in kennel No. 2C, ID No. 581.
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This female pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
She has a short white coat with black markings.
She is in kennel No. 2D, ID No. 584.
Basset hound-pit bull mix pup
This female pup is a mix of basset hound and pit bull.
She has a short black coat with white markings.
She is in kennel No. 2E, ID No. 673.
'Dot'
“Dot” is a border collie and pit bull mix puppy.
She has a short white coat with black markings.
She's in kennel No. 3a, ID No. 674.
Female terrier mix
This female terrier mix has a short brown coat.
She is in kennel No. 5, ID No. 768.
'Marshall'
“Marshall” is a male Labrador Retriever mix is looking for a special home.
He is undergoing treatment for heartworm, and his neutering surgery was paid for by a donor. He therefore has a low adoption fee.
Shelter staff said he is good with other dogs and cats, and would be a good fit in a family with children age 7 and above or a single family. He loves to play fetch with 2 balls.
He is in kennel No. 8, ID No. 578.
'Lefty'
“Lefty” is a young male Labrador Retriever and shepherd mix.
He has a short buff and tan coat.
Lefty is in kennel No. 11, ID No. 666.
Female Labrador Retriever mix
This female Labrador Retriever mix has a short black coat.
She is in kennel No. 13, ID No. 765.
'Dieola'
“Dieola” is a female Chihuahua mix.
She has a short coat that is mostly white, with black and tan markings.
She is in kennel No. 14, ID No. 761.
'Rocky'
“Rocky” is a male pit bull terrier mix.
He has a short tan and white coat.
He's in kennel No. 16, ID No. 756.
'Aces'
“Aces” is a female pit bull terrier mix.
She has a short coat with beautiful markings.
Information was not posted on her age or if she has been altered.
She is in kennel No. 24, ID No. 573.
'Bessie'
“Bessie” is a basset hound pit bull terrier mix.
Shelter staff said she is a very sweet dog that came in with puppies that are now big enough to be on their own.
She loves to be with people and would make a great family companion.
Bessie is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 574.
Male Labrador Retriever mix
This male Labrador Retriever mix pup is ready for a new home.
Shelter staff called the dog a “goofball pup” with high energy that loves to play and also loves water.
The pup needs training. He would do best in a home with children ages 10 and up.
He is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 710.
Boxer-pit bull mix
Shelter staff said this female boxer-pit bull mix is a very mellow, sweet dog who is good with other dogs.
She would fit well in most household situations with children age 10 and over.
She's in kennel No. 27, ID No. 559.
Labrador Retriever mix
This male Labrador Retriever mix was found on Sept. 5 and was not claimed.
He is very sweet, knows his commands, and is good with cats and livestock.
He's in kennel No. 29, ID No. 734.
'Hank'
“Hank” is a male pit bull terrier mix.
Shelter staff said he is great with other dogs. He is very playful but calms down quickly.
He needs training with basic manners but he is a quick learner and would make a good family pet for a family with children age 5 and above.
Hank is in kennel No. 30, ID No. 672.
Welsh Corgi mix
This male dog is a mix of Welsh Corgi and pit bull terrier.
He is in kennel No. 30, ID No. 672.
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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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
Underscoring the vast differences between Earth and its neighbor Venus, new research shows a glimpse of giant holes in the electrically charged layer of the Venusian atmosphere, called the ionosphere.
The observations point to a more complicated magnetic environment than previously thought – which in turn helps us better understand this neighboring, rocky planet.
Planet Venus, with its thick atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, its parched surface, and pressures so high that landers are crushed within a few hours, offers scientists a chance to study a planet very foreign to our own.
These mysterious holes provide additional clues to understanding Venus's atmosphere, how the planet interacts with the constant onslaught of solar wind from the sun, and perhaps even what's lurking deep in its core.
“This work all started with a mystery from 1978,” said Glyn Collinson, a space scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, who is first author of a paper on this work in the Journal of Geophysical Research. “When Pioneer Venus Orbiter moved into orbit around Venus, it noticed something very, very weird – a hole in the planet's ionosphere. It was a region where the density just dropped out, and no one has seen another one of these things for 30 years.”
Until now.
Collinson set out to search for signatures of these holes in data from the European Space Agency's Venus Express.
Venus Express, launched in 2006, is currently in a 24-hour orbit around the poles of Venus. This orbit places it in much higher altitudes than that of the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, so Collinson wasn't sure whether he'd spot any markers of these mysterious holes.
But even at those heights the same holes were spotted, thus showing that the holes extended much further into the atmosphere than had been previously known.
The observations also suggested the holes are more common than realized. Pioneer Venus Orbiter only saw the holes at a time of great solar activity, known as solar maximum.
The Venus Express data, however, shows the holes can form during solar minimum as well.
Interpreting what is happening in Venus's ionosphere requires understanding how Venus interacts with its environment in space.
This environment is dominated by a stream of electrons and protons – a charged, heated gas called plasma – which zoom out from the sun.
As this solar wind travels it carries along embedded magnetic fields, which can affect charged particles and other magnetic fields they encounter along the way. Earth is largely protected from this radiation by its own strong magnetic field, but Venus has no such protection.
What Venus does have, however, is an ionosphere, a layer of the atmosphere filled with charged particles.
The Venusian ionosphere is bombarded on the sun-side of the planet by the solar wind. Consequently, the ionosphere, like air flowing past a golf ball in flight, is shaped to be a thin boundary in front of the planet and to extend into a long comet-like tail behind.
As the solar wind plows into the ionosphere, it piles up like a big plasma traffic jam, creating a thin magnetosphere around Venus – a much smaller magnetic environment than the one around Earth.
Venus Express is equipped to measure this slight magnetic field. As it flew through the ionospheric holes it recorded a jump in the field strength, while also spotting very cold particles flowing in and out of the holes, though at a much lower density than generally seen in the ionosphere.
The Venus Express observations suggest that instead of two holes behind Venus, there are in fact two long, fat cylinders of lower density material stretching from the planet's surface to way out in space.
Collinson said that some magnetic structure probably causes the charged particles to be squeezed out of these areas, like toothpaste squeezed out of a tube.
The next question is what magnetic structure can create this effect? Imagine Venus standing in the middle of the constant solar wind like a lighthouse erected in the water just off shore. Magnetic field lines from the sun move toward Venus like waves of water approaching the lighthouse.
The far sides of these lines then wrap around the planet leading to two long straight magnetic field lines trailing out directly behind Venus. These lines could create the magnetic forces to squeeze the plasma out of the holes.
But such a scenario would place the bottom of these tubes on the sides of the planet, not as if they were coming straight up out of the surface.
What could cause magnetic fields to go directly in and out of the planet? Without additional data, it's hard to know for sure, but Collinson's team devised two possible models that can match these observations.
In one scenario, the magnetic fields do not stop at the edge of the ionosphere to wrap around the outside of the planet, but instead continue further.
“We think some of these field lines can sink right through the ionosphere, cutting through it like cheese wire,” said Collinson. “The ionosphere can conduct electricity, which makes it basically transparent to the field lines. The lines go right through down to the planet's surface and some ways into the planet.”
In this scenario, the magnetic field travels unhindered directly into the upper layers of Venus. Eventually, the magnetic field hits Venus' rocky mantle – assuming, of course, that the inside of Venus is like the inside of Earth. A reasonable assumption given that the two planets are the same mass, size and density, but by no means a proven fact.
A similar phenomenon does happen on the moon, said Collinson. The moon is mostly made up of mantle and has little to no atmosphere. The magnetic field lines from the sun go through the moon's mantle and then hit what is thought to be an iron core.
In the second scenario, the magnetic fields from the solar system do drape themselves around the ionosphere, but they collide with a pile up of plasma already at the back of the planet. As the two sets of charged material jostle for place, it causes the required magnetic squeeze in the perfect spot.
Either way, areas of increased magnetism would stream out on either side of the tail, pointing directly in and out of the sides of the planet. Those areas of increased magnetic force could be what squeezes out the plasma and creates these long ionospheric holes.
Scientists will continue to explore just what causes these holes. Confirming one theory or the other will, in turn, help us understand this planet, so similar and yet so different from our own.