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Letters
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- Written by: Wendy Jensen
On Nov. 18, 2007, I did something that would not only change my life forever, but those lives around me, family, friends, neighbors, law enforcement and complete strangers. If I had only made one phone call I could have saved many from going through a living hell. One choice I made became a horrifying and haunting nightmare that I could not wake up from. That unforgettable night changed my life eternally.
Consequently on that November night, I chose to get behind the wheel of my SUV while severely intoxicated. So intoxicated in fact, that I had a two hour blackout until I woke up after hitting another vehicle head-on while driving the wrong way on the freeway.
It was estimated that I was going at a speed of 80 miles per hour. The man who I hit suffered punctured lungs, a lacerated liver, torn aorta, crushed right hand, both femurs were broken, and his face was fractured. As for me, it was a broken back, head lacerations and some cuts and bruises.
At the hospital I was charged with DUI causing bodily injury. When I was released from the hospital, I was taken straight to booking and then to a women's detention facility.
Like every other inmate there, I had nothing but time to reflect on my mistake and what had got me to this horrible place I was at in the first place. Every night going to bed, afraid, lonely, cold and wondering if the man that I had hit had survived the trauma I had caused, and when I would be able to hold my child again, praying that when I woke up I'd be in the safety of my own home and this freakish nightmare would be over with.
I have been given a second chance with life for which I should have died. From the grace of God, I'm here to present my story to help others live their lives in a more positive and meaningful way, instead of allowing poor choices to destroy their life and those around them, as it did in my case. I am proof that it can happen to anyone.
Since that dreadful night I have remained sober and have become a member of a group called Team DUI. It is a coalition of law enforcement, county and city officials, social service providers, educators and many others who have personal experiences with DUI-related incidents. I have been an active member for almost two years.
In striving to get my message out, I hope to prevent our youth and adults from repeating my own mistakes and poor choice to drink and drive. I have continually impacted my audiences in all of my presentations. I try my best to customize each of my presentations to fit the need of the topic in order to impact my audience so they will know the consequences of drinking and driving and how it not only affects them personally, but everyone around them.
In my presentations, I talk about in detail my crash, the time I spent in jail, and how the man who I hit has forgiven me and we are now working together as a team to bring the message to others.
I use graphic photos from my crash, poems and facts that lead up to the main topic of my personal story in which I tell in a third person, as if I were talking about someone else. The audience is then informed that the story that was just told to them was in fact, a reality of the woman standing before them.
I am on a mission. It is my destiny and purpose in this new life of mine to share my story and help save as many lives as I can by helping my audience make the right choices in life's chaotic journey.
Wendy Jensen is a local resident who is a member of Team DUI. She writes this to remind community members that April is Alcohol Awareness Month.
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- Written by: Sandra Orchid
This event was chaired and organized by Pam Scully, the owner of Lakeport Furniture. With the help of her daughter, Hannah, and husband, Andy Scully, they collected more than 20 silent auction prizes from local businesses.
Pam contributed a leather recliner from her store as a raffle prize. She was also responsible for negotiating with Glen Wienke, the owner of TJ’s Bar and Grill, to host our dinner at his new restaurant in Lakeport.
We will be forever grateful to Pam and her family for all their time and energy. We were also thrilled that a new restaurant in town so graciously donated their facility. We were served a fabulous Italian pasta dinner by a very attentive staff.
The following businesses donated a variety of silent auction items: Lakeport English Inn (Karen Mackey), The Locker Room, Flowers By Jackie, Sheri’s Secret Garden, Campos Casual, Candle Rebels (Amy Collins), Freedom Skate Shop, The Goldsmith Jeweler, Inspirations Gallery, Linda’s Hallmark, All About Me, Band Box, On The Waterfront, The Wright Look, Lakeport Furniture & Design, Lakeport Learning Center (Laura Hershey), TNT Fireworks, and T.A.C. Anthony’s Tanning Service.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful donated prizes. You have all helped in contributing to our scholarship funds.
Our next pageant will take place on Aug. 7 at Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino. We will be crowning a new Miss Lake County and Miss Lake County’s Outstanding Teen. All participants in our pageant will receive an award.
For more information regarding our program and how you can become a contestant (young ladies ages 13 to 16 for the teen program and ages 17 to 24 for the Miss program), please call 707-277-0707 or email
Sandra Orchid is executive director of the Miss Lake County Scholarship Program.
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- Written by: Karen Samples
I love my children, family and friends. Do you love yours? Do you love them enough to take responsibility, and not drink and drive?
My loved ones drive these roads everyday and everyday I worry about them. I worry because I know the pain and suffering that comes with unexpectedly losing your loved one to someone who has chosen to be careless and gotten behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking or even after taking prescription medication.
I have experienced it firsthand, with a death in my family and I experience it in my job as a victim advocate. I try to help families cope with the loss of their loved one, a loss that was unexpected. I sit with them while they try to be strong, but can’t, while they try to understand how this could be happening to their family. They have more than enough to cope with making arrangements for their loved ones, let alone getting through another day.
What do you say to make it better or maybe just a little more bearable? The answer is nothing. There is nothing I can say to them that will help ease their pain, to make them feel comforted or to explain why this is happened.
It is a senseless tragedy and one that can be avoided. Please realize the possible consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications.
If we take responsibility when drinking, we will save lives and who knows the life you save may be your own or a loved one.
Karen Samples is a member of Team DUI. She lives in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Judy Thein
April has been proclaimed as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Child abuse comes in many forms, and though visible scars may fade, the longterm psychological damage could haunt a child for life.
Every child deserves to have a loving and supportive home life that nurtures his or her development; however, child abuse and neglect continue to negatively impact the formative years of many children across all ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Protecting our children is one of our highest priorities. This responsibility belongs to everyone. It is vital that we all do our part to ensure that our youth are safe and given the opportunity to have happy childhoods.
There are no excuses for child abuse or neglect. Therefore it is critical that residents, neighborhood groups, community organizations, schools, businesses, government resources, social service and others come together to form a network of awareness and support that can reach out to those in need and identify the signs of child abuse.
I commend these various groups and individuals for their continual hard work and lasting commitment to protecting our children and strengthening families.
On April 5, the city of Clearlake proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. I urge all communities throughout Lake County to join together in fighting child abuse. By raising awareness of this issue and standing up for the safety of children, we can prevent child abuse and allow our young ones to look forward to bright futures.
Judy Thein is mayor of the city of Clearlake.