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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Hundreds of community members turned out Saturday evening to have dinner and get an update on the happenings in Washington, DC from Congressman Mike Thompson.
Thompson hosted his 23rd annual ravioli feed and silent auction in the Phil Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
Brad Onorato, Thompson's district representative, said 350 tickets were sold for the dinner, which also featured Lake County wines – which Thompson called “second to none” – poured by the wineries that produced them, as well as a dessert auction.
There also was the yearly e-waste collection, which over the years has taken in more than one million pounds of used and obsolete electronics, according to Thompson. Four refurbished computers were offered to nonprofits who came with a written request.
Noting that it was a “high honor” for him to represent Lake County in the US House of Representatives, Thompson shared some of the highs, lows and frustrations.
“We should be able to get a lot more things done than we are getting done right now,” he said, addressing the partisan gridlock in Congress.
He added, “It's important that we all come together and get some things done for our country.”
Thompson said that he believed job creation was the No. 1 issue of importance, explaining his concerns for the middle class, which he said is taking a hit.
Corporate chief executive officers' pay has grown 40 percent, while the average working person is making less today than they did in 1999, Thompson said. Such economic realities, he said, are a disaster for the middle class.
“The middle class keeps the country going – the working man and working woman,” Thompson said.
Other priorities Thompson outlined included improving the country's infrastructure, investing in renewable energy and education, and he discussed the recent addition to the California Coastal National Monument of the Point Arena-Stornetta area in Mendocino County.
He also spoke of the immediate need to protect water bodies like Clear Lake from invasive species.
Clear Lake is the No. 1 at-risk water body in the United States for the quagga mussel, Thompson said.
A Vietnam veteran, Thompson said the nation's veterans also need help for physical and mental health issues.
In addition, he spoke of the recent passage of legislation he authored to require the Department of Defense to purchase US flags made here in the United States.
Thompson, who chairs the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, referenced a recent study that shows that background checks every day prevent felons, domestic violence abusers and fugitives from purchasing firearms.
Yet, he said his proposed legislation to expand the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales – including those happening at gun shows, over the Internet or in classified ads – has 189 co-authors among both major parties, but it can't get a vote in the House.
Thompson told the crowd that he was committed to returning to Washington, DC and continuing to work on Lake County's behalf.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Erik Andre, local landscaper and Lake County native, has donated a 1966 John Deere 110 garden tractor to the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum in Kelseyville.
Andre acquired the tractor five years ago from Steve Sherwin, current proprietor and vintner of Sherwin Family Vineyards in St. Helena.
At the time, Sherwin owned Windflower Island and the tractor sat on the property falling into disrepair.
Sherwin and Andre struck up an agreement whereby Andre offered to restore the tractor to its original 1966 condition. Sherwin gave him the tractor and the restoration process began.
Paul Dennet was the original owner of the tractor. Dennet homesteaded Windflower Island more than 50 years ago.
Andre remembers visiting the island as a child and being transported to the island’s play area by a wagon pulled by this tractor. Imagine his delight when he discovered it still in residence on the island, though no longer operational.
Andre is pleased that the restored tractor has found a new home at the Ely Stage Stop under the direction of Greg Dills.
He looks forward to knowing it is on display for visitors to enjoy and for use by museum docents and volunteers for ground maintenance on the property.
It's hoped that his donation will spur similar donations from other Lake County past or current residents.
The museum is run by Lake County Historical Society volunteers who are dedicated to caring for these important pieces of Lake County history.
The museum and these pieces of our past are maintained so the public can learn about Lake County's earlier days.
If you have a potential donation, please contact the museum at 707-533-9990 or send an email to
Stop by the museum at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Highway 281) in Kelseyville (near Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Highway 29-Kit's Corner). Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.
Visit www.elystagestop.com or www.lakecountyhistory.org or check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC) honored a pro bono team from Arnold & Porter LLP and Melanie Snider, the family law facilitator from Butte and Lake counties, as recipients of the 2014 Family Law Awards.
LAAC also joined the California Commission on Access to Justice to honor Deborah Chase, recipient of the 2013 Joint Award of Merit.
The awards ceremony took place March 7 as part of the 2014 Family Law and Self-Help Conference, held at the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Since 2003, the LAAC Family Law Awards have been given to family law advocates in recognition of their outstanding dedication and commitment to legal services for low-income Californians.
Honorees may be recognized in one of three categories: pro bono work, direct representation, and family law facilitator or self-help provider.
The Joint Award of Merit recognizes those who demonstrate a commitment to increasing access to justice for self-represented litigants, primarily low-income persons.
“LAAC is always honored to recognize the work of court staff and pro bono counsel who help shepherd California’s families through crises,” said Salena Copeland, LAAC executive director.
“Arnold & Porter’s attorneys tackled a difficult case and helped their client get justice, and Melanie is loved by her fellow advocates in the courts.
“LAAC is also happy to partner with the California Commission on Access to Justice to honor Deborah Chase with the 2013 Award of Merit. We wanted to honor her at the Family Law and Self-Help Conference so she could receive the award with an audience of people who know her well,” she said.
A team from Arnold & Porter LLP received this year’s pro bono Family Law Award for their work with Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County’s Domestic Violence Collaborative. Team members included Michael Berta, partner at Arnold & Porter LLP, Angel Garganta, now partner at Venable LLP, Emily Hostage, associate at Arnold & Porter LLP, and Preetam Shingavi, now in-house counsel at drchrono.
The team provided more than 300 hours of work in a case which ensured protection for the client, a domestic violence survivor.
The case builds on Arnold & Porter’s long tradition of helping those in need obtain protection of the law, according to Sean SeLegue, partner at Arnold & Porter LLP and chair of the San Francisco office’s pro bono committee.
“The office’s lawyers have been particularly drawn to helping persons seeking protection from domestic violence,” he said.
“The efforts of the Arnold & Porter LLP team were incredible. Not only did they go well beyond what they thought they signed up for, but they went far beyond their own practice area of IP law,” said Lauren Zorfas, former executive director of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County.
Hostage and SeLegue accepted the award on behalf of the team.
Melanie Snider, family law facilitator for Butte and Lake counties, received recognition in the family law facilitator and self-help provider categories.
In addition to her role as facilitator, Snider works as supervising attorney for the SHARP (Self Help Assistance and Referral Program) for Butte, Lake and Tehama counties.
Her colleagues in both Butte and Lake counties nominated her for her work on streamlining services and increasing coordination, and the impact that she has on families in those counties.
“It’s inspiring to attend meetings with Melanie,” said Gloria Wyeth, SHARP coordinator. “Her commitment to family law and helping pro pers and the people who serve them is so evident and genuine that people warm up to her immediately.
“Barriers to communication and cooperation simply evaporate after about 20 minutes, and people begin talking about coordinating efforts and improving services.”
Snider’s work includes developing training tools and a settlement process that assists litigants to settle cases without going to trial. She is an active participant in statewide coordination efforts.
“Melanie is professional, compassionate, and thorough,” said Casse Waldman Forczek, Lake County Law Library director.
“She is dedicated and committed as she continues providing equal access to justice, and, in these times of limited resources, she strives to find ways to provide more assistance to self-represented litigants by partnering the counties of Butte, Tehama, and Lake.”
In addition to the Family Law Awards, the California Commission on Access to Justice joined LAAC in recognizing Deborah Chase as the 2013 Joint Award of Merit recipient.
Chase works as senior attorney for the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts. She serves as judge pro tem for Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.
A member of the team that developed the statewide self-represented litigants action plan, Chase is primarily responsible for California’s self-help center guidelines. As part of both the Elkins Family Law Task Force and the Elkins Implementation Task Force, Chase helped conduct a comprehensive review of family law proceedings to develop recommendations for California courts.
Chase holds both master's and doctoral degrees in psychology. She received the California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Award in 2002.
“Deborah has worked tirelessly throughout her career to open the doors of justice for low-income family law litigants and to give these litigants an effective voice once they are before the court,” said Justice Kathleen O’Leary, president justice of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District.
Founded in 1984, the Legal Aid Association of California is a nonprofit organization created to ensure the effective delivery of legal services to low-income and underserved people and families throughout California. LAAC is the statewide membership organization of 87 nonprofit legal services organizations in the state.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – There is a big and varied group of dogs waiting to meet their new forever families at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.
Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever, Chihuahua, pit bull, hound and chow chow mixes ranging in age from 7 months to 8 years would like to get out of the shelter and into new homes.
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”).
'Monches'
“Monches” is a 2-year-old male Chihuahua mix.
He has a short white and tan spotted coat, and has not yet been neutered.
He's in kennel No. 5, ID No. 39309.
Male Chihuahua mix
This male Chihuahua mix is 3 years old.
He has a short black coat and weighs 10 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if he had been neutered.
He's in kennel No. 7a, ID No. ID: 39318.
Female Chihuahua mix
This female Chihuahua mix is 8 years old.
She has a short tan coat and weighs 12 pounds. It was not reported if she has been spayed.
Find her in kennel No. 7b, ID No. 39319.
'Lylo'
“Lylo” is a 5-year-old male Labrador Retriever mix.
He weighs 95 pounds, has a short black coat and has been neutered.
He's in kennel No. 10, ID No. 39198.
Male chow chow mix
This male chow chow mix is 6 years old.
He has a medium-length black coat and weighs 68 pounds. It was not reported if he has been altered.
Shelter staff said he is very mellow, and has been on his own, traveling the streets for some time. He may have been abandoned.
He is good with other dogs, and is very sweet, not shy or skittish.
Find him in kennel No. 17, ID No. 39308.
Male pit bull terrier mix
This male pit bull terrier mix is 7 months old.
He has green eyes, a short brown brindle and white coat, weighs 38 pounds and has not been neutered.
Shelter staff said he is good with other dogs, is well-mannered for a pup and eager to learn.
He's in kennel No. 25, ID No. 39269.
Hound-pit bull terrier mix pup
This male hound-pit bull terrier mix pup is 8 months old.
He has a short black and brown brindle coat. It was not reported if he has been altered.
Shelter staff said he was found, along with his sister, abandoned on a desolate road. He is shy but wants human interaction, and needs to start training.
He's in kennel No. 26, ID No. 39300.
Hound-pit bull terrier mix pup
This female hound-pit bull terrier mix pup is 8 months old.
She has a short brown brindle coat; shelter staff did not report if she has been spayed.
Like her brother, she's shy but wants human attention.
Find her in kennel No. 27, ID No. 39301.
'Piro'
“Piro” is a 6-month-old male pit bull terrier mix.
He has a short red coat and weighs 30 pounds. Shelter staff did not report if he has been neutered.
He's in kennel No. 29, ID No. 39291.
'Remy'
“Remy” is a 2-year-old female Rottweiler mix.
She has a short brown and black coat, weighs 70 pounds and has been spayed.
Shelter staff said she is good with other dogs, hesitant with men initially but later warms up, and needs a home with children over age 10.
She's in kennel No. 32, ID No. 39225.
'Duke'
This male Rottweiler mix, also named “Duke,” is 4 years old.
He weighs 122 pounds, has a docked tail and has been neutered.
He is being offered for a low adoption fee. Shelter staff said he should go to a home with no cats or other male dogs. They said he is a very loving boy who loves his tennis ball.
He's in kennel No. 33, ID No. 39158.
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
For people in the United States, an extraordinary series of lunar eclipses is about to begin.
The action starts on April 15 when the full moon passes through the amber shadow of Earth, producing a midnight eclipse visible across North America.
So begins a lunar eclipse tetrad – a series of four consecutive total eclipses occurring at approximately six month intervals.
The total eclipse of April 15 will be followed by another on Oct. 8, and another on April 4, 2015, and another on Sept. 28 2015.
“The most unique thing about the 2014-2015 tetrad is that all of them are visible for all or parts of the USA,” said longtime NASA eclipse expert Fred Espenak.
On average, lunar eclipses occur about twice a year, but not all of them are total. The following are three types.
A penumbral eclipse is when the moon passes through the pale outskirts of Earth’s shadow. It’s so subtle, sky watchers often don’t notice an eclipse is underway.
A partial eclipse is more dramatic. The moon dips into the core of Earth’s shadow, but not all the way, so only a fraction of moon is darkened.
A total eclipse, when the entire moon is shadowed, is best of all. The face of the moon turns sunset-red for up to an hour or more as the eclipse slowly unfolds.
Usually, lunar eclipses come in no particular order. A partial can be followed by a total, followed by a penumbral, and so on. Anything goes. Occasionally, though, the sequence is more orderly. When four consecutive lunar eclipses are all total, the series is called a tetrad.
“During the 21st century, there are nine sets of tetrads, so I would describe tetrads as a frequent occurrence in the current pattern of lunar eclipses,” said Espenak. “But this has not always been the case. During the three hundred year interval from 1600 to 1900, for instance, there were no tetrads at all.”
The April 15 eclipse begins at 2 a.m. Eastern time when the edge of the Moon first enters the amber core of Earth’s shadow.
Totality occurs during a 78-minute interval beginning around 3 a.m. on the East Coast, midnight on the West Coast. Weather permitting, the red moon will be easy to see across the entirety of North America.
Why red?
A quick trip to the moon provides the answer: Imagine yourself standing on a dusty lunar plain looking up at the sky. Overhead hangs Earth, nightside down, completely hiding the sun behind it. The eclipse is under way.
You might expect Earth seen in this way to be utterly dark, but it's not. The rim of the planet is on fire! As you scan your eye around Earth's circumference, you're seeing every sunrise and every sunset in the world, all of them, all at once.
This incredible light beams into the heart of Earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the moon into a great red orb.
Mark your calendar for April 15 and let the tetrad begin.
More information about the lunar eclipse may be found on NASA's eclipse home page, http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html .
Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A Saturday morning fire destroyed a historic lodge near the border of Colusa and Lake counties.
The main lodge building of the Wilbur Hot Springs Historic Lodge, Mineral Baths and Nature Sanctuary burned in the fire, according to Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Pat Brown.
Brown and Northshore firefighters, along with resources from several other agencies were on scene for several hours, with the Lake County crew just returning at around 3 p.m.
Brown said Northshore Fire was dispatched at approximately 10:40 a.m. to the lodge, located at 3375 Wilbur Springs Road near Williams.
The recent rain had made the road difficult to travel for the responding fire equipment, Brown said.
The resort is not located within a fire district, but resources from several surrounding districts responded with a lot of equipment and personnel, Brown reported.
Williams Fire sent three engines and a water tender, Maxwell Fire had two engines and a water tender, with the Maxwell chief acting as incident commander. Brown said he and one Northshore Fire engine also responded, and there were two engines and a water tender from the Capay Valley.
Brown said the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen, traveling up to the second floor and across the roof, then back down into the first floor of the building, which he to be about 6,000 square feet in size.
Northshore firefighters worked on the first floor to help salvage what they could, including the lodge's oak tables and chairs, Brown said. “We saved all that.”
Some 60 guests were at the resort at the time of the fire, with Brown saying that at one point he was struggling to make sure everyone was accounted for and safe.
He said that in the end all guests were safe, with the owner suffering some burned hair and another person having smoke inhalation. Medics from Enloe Medical Center in Chico also were on scene but no one was transported.
For Brown, seeing the building destroyed was difficult, as he and other firefighters had fought to save it during the August 2012 Walker Fire, which crossed from Lake into Colusa county.
The resort's outbuildings were not affected by the Saturday fire, Brown said.
He said that because the resort is located in a “no man's zone” between districts, so far no fire investigator has been assigned, and it's his understanding that the building may not have been insured.
According to the resort's Web site, http://www.wilburhotsprings.com , the resort was established in 1865.
The main lodge destroyed by the Saturday fire had been built in 1915, with additional building and improvements taking place in the years since. The property today includes an 1,800-acre nature preserve, according to the site.
Representatives of the lodge couldn't immediately be reached for comment on Saturday afternoon.
Email Elizabeth Larson at