THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (Rated PG-13)

There won’t be any point to dredging up the Yul Brynner version of “The Magnificent Seven” for comparison with Denzel Washington’s take on the lead character. First of all, their character names have been changed, maybe to protect the innocent or the guilty. Who knows?

Teamed up again with Washington, director Antoine Fuqua, as reported in the press notes, said he was excited about making a Western because as the result of what is happening in the world today you “need a special group of people to come together to fight tyranny.”

“The Magnificent Seven” is the story of seven outlaws, gunslingers, gamblers and bounty hunters who band together to fight tyranny that has gripped the small town of Rose Creek.

The truly evil Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the proverbial mustache-twirling villain, owns the nearby gold mine where every able-bodied man in Rose Creek seems to be an indentured servant to toil in dangerous conditions, with little remuneration to show for hard work.

Not satisfied with stealing the property of the God-fearing townsfolk, Bogue burns their church to the ground and then guns down one good man in cold blood who had the temerity to ask why he couldn’t leave everyone in peace.

The man’s widow, Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett), turns out to be the gutsy savior of the town by taking up a collection so she can hire a crew to fight back and reclaim their lives and stolen property.

The right man to put it together is Washington’s Sam Chisholm, dressed in all-black and riding a dark horse, who announces himself as the duly sworn warrant officer from Wichita, Kansas and a licensed peace officer in Arkansas, the Indian Territory and a bunch of other states.

His right-hand sidekick is Chris Pratt’s Josh Faraday, a card-shark gambler with a quick draw. He loves magic tricks involving cards, whiskey and women, and not necessarily in that order. He’s also got a good sense of humor (something that comes easy to Pratt).

All seven members recruited to save the town are distinct characters and personalities. This includes Ethan Hawke’s Confederate sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux, a tortured soul wandering the West ever since the end of the Civil War.

Byung-hun Lee’s expert knife thrower Billy Rocks is not only Goodnight’s right-hand associate but an invaluable fighter. Vincent D’Onofrio is even more interesting as the resourceful mountain man Jack Horne, who apparently hasn’t spent much time with the civilized world.

An outlaw on the run from bounty hunters, Mexican gunman Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) is given a second chance by Washington if he’ll do right by the town.

The last one recruited is the American Indian warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier), a fierce one-man army who gives the rest of the crew a second chance only after Chisholm wisely shows respect for Comanche customs.

So there you have it. Seven very disparate men with different fighting skills show up in Rose Creek and teach the somewhat reluctant townsfolk how to prepare for an ultimate battle against Bogue’s army.

The first part of the battle is easy when the Seven dispatch a couple of dozen of Bogue’s local enforcers. But Chisholm knows that reinforcements in ever larger numbers are coming soon from Sacramento.

“The Magnificent Seven” does not disappoint in the action department. It’s like the Battle of the Alamo except there’s a better result but not without a lot of bloodshed. Fans of Westerns should find this remake a satisfying addition to the canon of the genre.

TV CORNER – 'LETHAL WEAPON' ON FOX

Welcome to the “TV Corner,” a new feature for this regular column. The idea is to take note primarily of new programming on network and cable television, without supplanting movie reviews.

On occasion a full column may be devoted to television, often because a new film was not readily available for review. Aside from previews, this space will look at new shows that have debuted, since we can’t cover the plethora of new shows that all start in the same month.

An intriguing new series of the FOX network is “Lethal Weapon,” which should come as no surprise to any fan of popular culture that it is based on the iconic film series starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.

The most interesting character would Clayne Crawford in the role of Gibson’s unhinged detective Martin Riggs, while Damon Wayans holds up his end as Glover’s Roger Murtaugh, the sensible one without a death wish.

The first episode of “Lethal Weapon” establishes the tragic backstory for Riggs ending up in Los Angeles after serving in Texas law enforcement. It’s a sad tale that involves a horrific traffic accident, but explains Riggs’ melancholy, suicidal nature.

Some may question the need for the series, but the two main characters of Riggs and Murtaugh, truly polar opposites when paired up at LAPD, show great potential for developing an enjoyable wise-cracking buddy cop team.

“Lethal Weapon” is definitely worth a look or two because it has some stunning action (a cop chase in the middle of a Grand Prix) and plenty of good humor.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith called on the people of California to help reduce the number of mosquitoes by eliminating standing water, especially in areas that have recently had rain and continue to experience warm temperatures.

“Rainy weather can create new breeding grounds for mosquitoes if water is allowed to pool and remain stagnant,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Mosquito season in California peaks in October, making it critically important that Californians take action to empty even small amounts of water from our gardens and yards.”

To help control mosquitoes, check your yard weekly for water-filled containers. Clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly, and dump the water from dishes under potted plants.

Contact your local vector control agency if you detect unusual numbers of mosquitoes or you are being bitten during the day.

Information about the Lake County Vector Control District can be found at http://www.lcvcd.org/ .

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, an aggressive mosquito that bites during the day, has been detected in 12 California counties. This black-and-white striped mosquito has the potential to transmit Zika and other diseases, such as dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever.

While the mosquito is especially active two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset, it can also bite during the day. These mosquitoes often enter buildings through unscreened windows and doors and bite people indoors.

While there has been no local transmission of Zika in California, as of Sept. 23, 302 travel-associated cases have been reported in the state.

Zika symptoms typically include a fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. Most people infected with the Zika virus will not have symptoms, but Zika is a major concern in pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects.

In addition to Zika, West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne illness, continues to concern public health officials.

To prevent mosquito bites, apply repellents containing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label).

During the times mosquitoes are most active you should wear long- sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes. Be sure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

More information about Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can be found on the CDPH Web site, www.cdph.ca.gov , and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, www.cdc.gov .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Beginning in October, the Lakeport Fire Protection District will join REACH Air Medical Services and CALSTAR in offering ground and air ambulance membership packages. 

The memberships will cover out-of-pocket expenses, which can be hundreds of dollars for ground transports and thousands of dollars for air transportation.

Lakeport Fire Protection District residents can opt to purchase either a ground, air or combined membership to cover the cost, ensuring that the member is covered 100 percent.

Ground memberships are $50 per year, air memberships are $55 per year and combined membership is $105 per year. The membership covers all persons living in a household.

Money raised by the ground ambulance memberships will be used to pay for operational expenses of the fire district’s ambulance service such as supplies and equipment. 

Membership forms will be mailed to all fire district residents in early October, and will be available on the fire district’s Web site at www.lakeportfire.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Treasurer and Tax Collector Barbara C. Ringen is pleased to announce that the State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement Program has returned after being suspended by the State Legislature in 2009.

The program allows homeowners who are 62 or older, blind, or have a disability, to defer current-year property taxes on their principal residence if they meet certain criteria including 40 percent equity in the home and an annual household income of $35,500 or less.
 
Applications became available Sept. 1, 2016, and can be found at the Lake County Treasurer & Tax Collector’s Office or online at http://www.sco.ca.gov/ardtax_prop_tax_postponement.html .
 
The State Controller’s Office will begin accepting applications on Oct. 1, 2016, through Feb. 10, 2017.

Funds are limited and applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
The interest rate for taxes postponed is 7 percent per year as compared to 18 percent per year for delinquent taxes.

Repayment under this program becomes due when the homeowner:

· Moves or sells the property;
· Transfers title;
· Defaults on a Senior lien;
· Refinances; Dies; or
· Chooses to obtain a reverse mortgage.
 
For more detailed program information, contact the tax collector’s office at 707-263-2234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or the State Controller’s Office toll-free at 800-952-5661, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Connie Jackson was born on Dec. 9, 1953, in Dewitt, Ark. She entered Heaven peacefully with her loving partner of over 30 years Ronda Beckett by her side on Sept. 28, 2016. She was surrounded with her family in life and left this world surrounded by those who loved her.

She is survived by her beloved daughters and sons-in-law, Amber Jackson and Kyle Williams, Aimee Jackson-Penn and James Penn, Anna Jackson and Joseph Rahmer, Danielle Jackson and Brian Dennison Jr., Iris Picton (daughter of her heart) and Patrick Picton; her numerous loving grandchildren, Dezaray, Joshua, Veronica, Brianna, David, Cyrus (Savanna), Alyssa, Halie, Cypriss, Clarissa, Christopher, Brittany, Katie, Joey, Christian, Christina, Alexzandrea, Anthony, Jacob, Kai, Trevyn, Bob, Molly, James, Kaleb, Missy, Ayden and Hayden; great-grandchildren, Steven, Mason, Trey, Jonnie, Aurora and Lilly; brothers and sisters, Daisy Fife, Barbara and Ducky Inong, Debbie Gurley, Robert Gurley, Mark and Kathy Gurley and Jessica Jackson; ex-husband and dear friend, Anthony Jackson; and many loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Shirley Hyatt and Gwendolyn Loss; brothers, Dan Gurley and Ronnie Kay Gurley; her beloved daughter, Melissa Rahmer; and great-grandbaby, Aubree River Rose.

Those who knew Connie loved her because her gentleness and kindness was there for all to share.

Funeral services for this great woman will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Monday, Oct. 3.
 
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon with funeral service at noon and graveside committal service to follow at Upper Lake Cemetery.

Buffet and potluck at the Running Creek Conference Rooms to follow the burial. All are invited and encouraged to come join the celebration of life of this wonderfully loving woman we call Mom.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County International Charter School, or LCICS, is holding its eighth annual Live & Give Celebration and Auction on Saturday, Oct. 22.

The event will take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Middletown Art Center at 21456 State Highway 175 in Middletown.

The old-fashioned, variety show-inspired theme for this year’s event, “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” will feature the sassy, gritty and swingin' live music of popular Sonoma County band Buck-Thrifty, live performances, gypsy fortune tellers, delicious thematic appetizers created by Chic Le Chef Catering, complimentary first glass of beer or wine, and both silent and live auctions.

“We’ve had some incredibly fun events in past years, and this year’s theme may top them all,” said LCICS Director Gwendolyn Maupin-Ahern.

She added, “As a small, public school we rely on the amazing community support to bridge the gap between state funding and the true cost of educating and supporting our children, especially in this year of recovery since the Valley fire. The Live & Give is our biggest annual fundraiser, and we are always amazed and appreciative of the generosity of local businesses and individuals.”

Attendees must be at least 21 years old, and tickets can be pre-purchased for $20 per person at the LCICS office (15850 Armstrong St.), at Chic Le Chef (18983 Hartmann Road, Hidden Valley Lake), online at www.lcics.org , or by calling LCICS at 707-987-3063.

Tickets purchased at the door on the evening of the event will be $25 per person. Additional glasses of wine and beer will be available for purchase.

For more information, or to donate items or gift certificates to the live or silent auctions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call 707-987-3063, or go online to www.lcics.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Marie Louise Anderson, 88, of Lakeport and formerly of Fort Bragg, Calif., passed away on Sept. 25, 2016, at St. Helena Hospital.

Born on Jan. 24, 1928, she was predeceased by her parents, Jim and Mary Masolini. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, and a friend to many. She will be deeply missed.

Marie attended school in Fort Bragg, where she excelled, and graduated salutatorian. Her father expected she’d marry an Italian, but a good-looking Dane showed up on her 18th birthday and heard Marie playing her accordion. He came back the next day with a locket as a birthday gift; she was in love and they soon married.

Marie was the secretary at the Fort Bragg Lutheran Church and worked for 14 years as secretary to the counselor at Fort Bragg Junior High. She loved cooking and was famous for great meals, especially her risotto and polenta.

She loved holidays and was never happier than when her home was full of friends and family. She loved traveling, especially when she and Don hooked up the Airstream and took off across country. She traveled the world with Don and on one eventful trip, he fulfilled a promise, taking her to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

She loved playing her organ and accordion, reading, musicals, shopping and Sunday Packer games. Marie often said that she couldn’t believe that a girl from Fort Bragg could be so lucky.

Survivors include the love of her life, her husband for almost 70 years, Don Anderson; her brother, Leno (Carolyn) Masolini; her children, Joe Anderson (Karen), Mike Anderson (Maribelle) and Donna Rose; her grandchildren, Melanie and Brian (Nikki) Rose, Misty (Donald) Daniels, Myles (Stacey) Anderson, Donnie (Ashley), Jesse, Caden and Drew Anderson. Marie was a loving Nona to 11 great-grandchildren, and she leaves behind numerous friends and relatives.

Friends are invited to celebrate the life of Marie with her family on Oct. 16 at the Lodge at Blue Lakes from 1 to 5 p.m.

The family requests donations in her memory to her favorite charities: American Cancer Society, Attn: Team MargaRelayVille, 1451 Guerneville Road # 220, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403 or the Timberwolf Stadium Fund, P.O. Box 2812, Fort Bragg, CA, 95437.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Valley Fire Recovery Chipping Program needs your application.

The Lake County Resource Conservation District has partnered with the Lake County Air Quality Management District to offer chipping of brush, branches and tree trunks up to 10 inches in diameter to owners of small parcels in the Valley Fire Recovery Area.

Unfortunately, because sufficient applications have not been received, the program is in danger of being discontinued.

Please submit your application by Oct. 4 to help keep this program going for your community.

The service is available at no cost to the landowner, who must first cut down the trees, limb them out, and haul woody materials (please no blackberries or poison oak) to the edge of the road.

All owners of small residential parcels (one acre or less) in the Valley Fire Recovery Area are eligible for this free service, with scheduling priority given to those who intend to rebuild.

Properties of up to two acres will be considered as capacity is available, and owners of larger properties may also be able to participate on a cost-sharing basis.

Chipping services outside the recovery area can be provided for a fee.

For more details and to apply, download the application form from www.lakercd.org/lc-rcd-chipper-program.html or contact Lake County Resource Conservation District at 707 262-7089 and leave a message.

For general program information you can also call the Lake County Air Quality Management District at 707-263-7000.

This project is made possible by a generous donation from #LakeCountyRising, a collaborative fundraising effort of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Winery Association and Wine Alliance.