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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five senior centers, five high schools, three high school programs and eight nonprofit organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s Lake County Wine Auction.
Kaj Ahlmann, president of the sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance, announced the selections on Wednesday.
This year’s Wine Auction, the 13th annual, will take place at Brassfield Estate Winery in High Valley from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.
All proceeds from the Wine Auction activities will benefit the selected beneficiaries.
More than 40 organizations, agencies, and programs submitted their funding requests to the Wine Alliance, demonstrating the number of worthy programs in Lake County seeking financial assistance.
The recipient organizations will use their grants for these projects:
The Arts: The fine arts education programs at the five Lake County high schools (Clear Lake High, Kelseyville High, Lower Lake High, Middletown High, and Upper Lake High) will share the funds in this category.
Health: the Safe House for Homeless Youths serves youth 15-18 years of age from throughout Lake County; Hospice Services of Lake County provides physical, emotional and spiritual end-of-life support; and the five senior centers (Highlands, Live Oak, Lucerne Alpine, Lakeport, and Middletown) will support their nutrition programs for delivered meals to homebound seniors.
Community: Funds in this category will be shared by the Clear Lake Performing Arts to expand its Youth Music Education program; the Friends of the Lake County Museum to present its docent outreach program to all schools; Team DUI to purchase outreach and educational materials; Konocti Junior Tennis League to continue its operation of the annual Lake County open junior tournament; Operation Tango Mike for shipping fees and package contents for troops deployed to combat zones; and Habitat for Humanity of Lake County for its home repair program for low income residents. An additional award will go to the three high schools with Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs (Upper Lake, Kelseyville, and Middletown) that develop leadership through agricultural education.
The Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of wineries, wine grape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters founded in 2000, has contributed more than $896,700 to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community while promoting Lake County as a premier growing region for fine wine grapes.
An all-volunteer board of directors and auction committee plan and direct the annual charity event.
The gala benefit features wine and food tastings, silent and live auctions, and dancing to the music of the LC Diamonds. Auctioneers will be Shaun Hornby and Stephanie Green.
Tickets for the Wine Auction will be available through the Wine Alliance website, www.winealliance.org , or by calling1-866-279-WINE to make reservations.
Information about sponsorship opportunities is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129.
Major sponsors confirmed to date are Mendo Lake Credit Union, Calpine, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, and Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery.
Honorary chair for the 2012 Wine Auction is Jerry Brassfield, proprietor of Brassfield Estate Winery. He will be assisted by committee co-chairs Judy Luchsinger, Lakeport, and Sharron Zoller, Kelseyville.
Members of the Wine Alliance board are Kaj Ahlmann, president; Dr. Judy Luchsinger, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Marie Beery, Bill Groody, and Wilda Shock, directors. Luchsinger chaired the beneficiaries committee and assisted the board members in reviewing the record number of applications.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man arrested in early January for sexually assaulting a female acquaintance has entered a plea in the case.
Charles Peter Lamb, 31, on Monday entered a guilty plea to felony assault with intent to commit rape, said Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg.
A call to Lamb’s attorney, Barry Melton, was not returned.
Lamb allegedly assaulted a female acquaintance on Jan. 1, and was arrested the following morning by Lakeport Police, according to the initial police report.
He originally was charged with count of rape and one count of sodomy by force, and was held to answer to the charges following a January preliminary hearing, as Lake County News has reported.
Borg said assault with intent to commit rape is a violent felony, or a strike, and will require Lamb to serve prison time; he won’t be eligible to serve the sentence on parole. He also will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his term.
Lamb will have to register as a sex offender as well, Borg said.
The charge brings between two and six years upon conviction. However, when Lamb is sentenced on April 9 by Judge Andrew Blum he will face four years, as Borg said he and the defense agreed to a mid-term cap based on Lamb’s minimal prior criminal history.
The female victim was aware of the District Attorney’s Office’s negotiations with Lamb and was OK with the plea bargain, Borg said.
The matter has been referred to Lake County Probation, which will complete a presentence report that considers Lamb’s criminal and social history, Borg said. Blum will use that report as the basis of his decision.
Borg said that because the charge to which Lamb pleaded is a violent felony and requires sex offender registration, Lamb will have to serve his term in state prison, not the county jail, as some individuals convicted of felonies now are doing under correctional realignment.
Lamb has remained in the Lake County Jail since his arrest.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two local residents have been nominated for recognition for outstanding service.
Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook on Tuesday announced the naming of the two outstanding school employees as Lake County’s nominees to the California 2012 Classified School Employees of the Year.
The nominees are Mary Ann Mathews for para-educator and instructional assistance and Bernardo Santana Garcia for maintenance, operations and facilities.
Mathews is an instructional aide/special education secretary for Upper Lake High Union School District, where she has worked for more than 10 years.
Superintendent Pat Iaccino writes, “…there are times when you come across one of those rare individuals who can wear a number of hats, and wear them with style. She does all of this with a tremendous professionalism and a compassion and love for students that cannot be matched.”
“Mary Ann isn’t just involved, she gets other people to be involved,” said teacher and Athletic Director Sandy Coatney.
According to Director of Alternative Education Don Boyd, “Mary Ann’s leadership and commitment are second to none. She is definitely a ‘walk the walker’ and not a 'talker.’”
Garcia is a custodian II/groundskeeper for the Konocti Unified School District, where he has worked for more than 14 years.
East Lake Elementary Principal Debi Malley writes, “Bernardo leads by example in responsibility to his work and respect of others.”
“Bernardo is a wonderful example of excellent leadership qualities within his community,” said office assistant Mary Massingill.
“Bernardo’s involvement in the school community extends much farther than simply being a custodian,” wrote teacher Jon Mitchem. “He is a valuable member of our staff. It is because of this attitude and care for not only his job, but also the well being of the staff and students that I recommend Bernardo for Classified Employee of the Year.”
Each of these state nominees will now undergo a state review process, Holbrook reported.
The candidate evaluation is organized in four themes: work performance, school/community involvement, leadership and commitment, and service above and beyond.
State awardees will be announced in April.
May 20-26 is designated as 2012 Classified Employee Week. State awardees will be formally honored at a luncheon schedule for Thursday, May 24, in Sacramento.
Mathews and Garcia were honored, along with other district classified employees of the year and district teachers of the year, at the Lake County Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Education Award Dinner held last October.
Other classified employees who received recognition for excellence at that time were Luis Martinez, head custodian, Terrace Middle School, Lakeport Unified School District; Teri Langford, middle school/high school attendance clerk, Middletown Unified School District; and Wesley “Buddy” Thomas, maintenance technician, Upper Lake High Union School District.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Tuesday night earthquake near Clearlake Oaks and Clearlake jolted some local residents.
A preliminary report from the United States Geological Survey said the quake, which occurred at 11:30 p.m., measured 3.1 on the Richter Scale.
The initial magnitude could be adjusted later upon review by a seismologist.
The quake, which occurred just under the earth's surface – the depth was listed as zero kilometers – was centered five miles east of Clearlake Oaks, five miles northeast of Clearlake and seven miles north northeast of Lower Lake, the survey reported.
Lake County News received reports via email and Facebook from residents who felt the quake, which woke a few of them up.
A 3.8-magnitude earthquake was reported four miles from Clearlake Oaks and Clearlake on the morning of Jan. 24, as Lake County News has reported.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
A group of 55 Senate and House lawmakers sent a letter on Monday urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods so that consumers can make informed choices about what they feed their families.
The Senate and House lawmakers wrote in support of a petition – supported by hundreds of organizations and businesses – that calls on the FDA to protect consumers’ rights by ensuring that all genetically engineered foods are properly labeled.
Polls have consistently shown that consumers are surprised to learn that genetically engineered foods are not identified and they strongly support a federal requirement to label these products.
The lawmakers wrote, “We urge you to fully review the facts, law, and science, and side with the American public by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods as is done in nearly 50 countries throughout the world. FDA has a clear opportunity to protect a consumer’s right to know, the freedom to choose what we feed our families, and the integrity of our free and open markets with this petition.”
In addition to Senator Boxer and Congressman DeFazio, the letter was signed by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jon Tester (D-MT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), George Miller (D-CA), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Hansen Clarke (D-MI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), James Moran (D-VA), John Olver (D-MA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Pete Stark (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA), Robert Brady (D-PA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-NY), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Michael Honda (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Mel Watt (D-NC), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA).
The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is below:
March 12, 2012
The Honorable Margaret Hamburg
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740-3835
Dear Commissioner Hamburg,
We write to you in support of a recent legal petition, supported by over 400 organizations and businesses, to protect consumer rights and prevent consumer deception by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods. FDA’s regulatory regime for food labeling is inadequate and uses 19th century concepts to regulate 21st century food technologies.
As you know, in its 1992 policy statement, FDA allowed GE foods to be marketed without labeling because they were not “materially” different from other foods. In that policy statement, the agency severely limited what it considered “material” to only changes in food that could be recognized by taste, smell, or other senses. The use of novel food technologies like genetic engineering on a commercial scale has so far slipped underneath FDA’s limited threshold for “materiality” because such technologies make silent, genetic, and molecular changes to food that are not capable of being detected by human senses. In its 2009 guidance to industry, FDA applied its outdated GE food labeling policy to GE animals without revisiting the scientific or legal merits of the standard. This decision is especially troubling given FDA’s current consideration of a GE salmon that would be the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption.
At issue is the fundamental right consumers have to make informed choices about the food they eat. Labeling foods doesn’t imply a product is unsafe or will be confusing to consumers as some may argue. The FDA requires the labeling of over 3,000 ingredients, additives, and processes; providing basic information doesn’t confuse the public, it empowers them to make choices. Absent labeling, Americans are unable to choose for themselves whether to purchase GE foods. Polls have consistently shown that consumers are not only surprised to know that GE foods are not identified, but that they want the federal government to label these products. Since the labeling petition was filed in October 2011, nearly a million comments have been submitted in support of labeling.
The FDA has the opportunity and authority to do right by the American public. When issuing its rule requiring irradiated foods to be labeled, FDA stated in broad terms that a decision to require labeling is not just based on the physical changes to the food but also on whether consumers view such information as important, and whether the omission of label information may mislead a consumer. The fact that FDA has already adopted this broad interpretation of “material” facts demonstrates that it is a reasonable—and therefore permissible—interpretation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
We urge you to fully review the facts, law, and science, and side with the American public by requiring the labeling of genetically engineered foods as is done in nearly 50 countries throughout the world. FDA has a clear opportunity to protect a consumer’s right to know, the freedom to choose what we feed our families, and the integrity of our free and open markets with this petition. Thank you for your consideration.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sheriff's investigators are pursuing leads in order to find the suspects in another home invasion robbery.
Capt. Chris Macedo of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said detectives are working on the case arising from a violent robbery at a residence on Big Valley Road in Kelseyville last Wednesday, March 7.
At 1:25 p.m. that day Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Big Valley Road residence on the report of a home invasion robbery, Macedo said.
When deputies arrived on scene, they found a male victim who resided at the residence who told them that at he was contacted by two unknown Hispanic males in front of his home, Macedo said.
One of the Hispanic males was described as approximately 5 feet in height and weighed approximately 160 pounds with no hair or facial hair and was wearing a brown long sleeve shirt with a pocket in the front stomach area and light colored pants, according to Macedo.
The second Hispanic male was approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighed approximately 180 to 190 pounds with a scar on his right cheek. Macedo said both Hispanic males were in their early to mid 20s.
There was a third Hispanic male in the driver’s seat of a dark-colored Chevrolet SUV. The driver had a moustache and a dark beanie on his head, Macedo said.
Macedo said the SUV was a newer model, black or dark blue in color with a shark-fin like antenna on the front of the roof.
After a brief conversation in front of the residence, the first Hispanic male pulled a handgun out of his pocket and pointed it at the male victim. Macedo said the second Hispanic male also had a Taser pointed at the victim.
The suspects then forced the male victim into his house, tied him up and demanded to know where his marijuana was, Macedo said.
The victim said that approximately two to three more Hispanic males entered his house and brought his wife into the same room where he was, tying her up as well, according to Macedo.
A short while later, a male friend of victims showed up and also was tied up, assaulted and placed next to them, Macedo said.
The suspects then searched the residence and took approximately 2 pounds of processed marijuana and approximately $1,500 in US currency, Macedo reported.
He said that as the suspects were leaving the residence, one of the suspects told the victims that if they moved they would kill them. The suspects then left in the dark-colored SUV in an unknown direction.
The victims were able to free themselves shortly after the suspects left and called 911 to report the incident, Macedo said.
The second male victim suffered minor injuries to his ribs and head. Macedo said the other victims did not suffer any physical injuries but were visibly upset over the ordeal.
The incident was not reported to the sheriff’s office until approximately three hours after it occurred as all three victims were fearful because of the threat made by the suspects as they left the house.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.