On Tuesday, Nov. 15, commercial Dungeness crab season will open from Point Reyes in Marin County south, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced.

But at the recommendation of state health agencies, the CDFW Director is moving to close the commercial Dungeness crab fishery between Point Reyes and the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and to close the commercial rock crab fishery north of Pigeon Point in San Mateo County.

This has the effect of closing approximately 60 miles of coastline to commercial Dungeness crab fishing that otherwise would have opened on Nov. 15. The fishery north of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line is not scheduled to open until Dec. 1.

The commercial Dungeness crab fishery had been scheduled to open all the way up to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line (about 60 miles north of Point Reyes) on Nov. 15 and the rock crab fishery is otherwise open year round, but some crabs collected and tested showed elevated levels of domoic acid. The naturally occurring toxin can sicken people who consume crab.

At the recommendation of the state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham submitted to the Office of Administrative Law an emergency rulemaking to keep the commercial Dungeness crab fishery closed north of Point Reyes (38°00' N. lat.) and to close the commercial rock crab fishery north of Pigeon Point (37°11' N. lat.).

Last fall and winter, domoic acid along the West Coast interrupted Dungeness and rock crab fisheries from Santa Barbara to the Oregon state line.

"Given the very difficult season endured by commercial crabbers and their families last year, we were hopeful to open all areas on time this year," said Director Bonham. "Fortunately, domoic acid levels are much lower than this time last year and, despite this action, we are optimistic we will still be able to have a good season."

The recreational season for Dungeness crab opened on Nov. 5 with a warning from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to recreational anglers not to consume the viscera of Dungeness crab caught north of Point Reyes. State and federal laws prohibit the commercial distribution of seafood products that contain domoic acid levels above the federal action level of 30 parts per million in the viscera.

Because of this, OEHHA in consultation with CDPH recommended to CDFW to close or delay the start of the commercial Dungeness crab season north of Point Reyes and close the commercial rock crab fishery north of Pigeon Point.

Closure of the above-referenced commercial fisheries shall remain in effect until the Director of OEHHA, in consultation with the Director of CDPH, determines that domoic acid levels no longer pose a significant risk to public health and recommends the fisheries be open, and the Director of CDFW provides notification to the commercial fisheries.

Recreational fisheries will remain open under a warning to anglers not to eat the viscera of crab caught in the affected areas.

CDFW will continue to coordinate with CDPH and OEHHA to test domoic acid levels in crab along the coast to determine when the fisheries can safely be opened.

CDPH, in conjunction with CDFW, has been actively testing crabs since early September and results from the most recent tests showed that select crabs from the closed areas had elevated levels of domoic acid in their viscera.

Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish, other invertebrates and sometimes fish. It causes illness and sometimes death in a variety of birds and marine mammals that consume affected organisms. At low levels, domoic acid exposure can cause nausea, diarrhea and dizziness in humans. At higher levels, it can cause persistent short-term memory loss, seizures and can in some cases be fatal.

Dana Gioia is the Poet Laureate of California. For six years he served the nation as Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

His new book, “99 Poems: New & Selected, has just been published by Graywolf Press.

This beautiful poem remembers his first son, Michael Jasper, whom Gioia and his wife Mary lost in infancy.

Prayer

Echo of the clocktower, footstep
in the alleyway, sweep
of the wind sifting the leaves.

Jeweller of the spiderweb, connoisseur
of autumn's opulence, blade of lightning
harvesting the sky.

Keeper of the small gate, choreographer
of entrances and exits, midnight
whisper traveling the wires.

Seducer, healer, deity or thief,
I will see you soon enough—
in the shadow of the rainfall,

in the brief violet darkening a sunset—
but until then I pray watch over him
as a mountain guards its covert ore

and the harsh falcon its flightless young.

American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited submissions. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation ( www.poetryfoundation.org ), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Introduction copyright © 2016 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club will meet at noon, Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the Scotts Valley Women's Club House at 2298 Hendricks Road, near Lakeport.

A light lunch will be served.

Kate Frey will present a program titled, “Adventures in Gardening.” It will include the London Chelsea Flower Show as well as flower shows in Japan, Malaysia and organic farming in Saudi Arabia.

This will be an educational journey around the world.

Frey also redesigned and managed the famous organic edible gardens at Fetzer Vineyards in Hopland for 20 years and taught sustainable landscaping at Sonoma State University Extended Education.

She is a consultant, designer, educator and writer for many different groups and gardens. Her book, “Bee-friendly Gardening,” co-written with Professor Gretchen LeBuhn, was published in February.

The club welcomes new members and information can be found by visiting www.clttgc.org . For more information please call Dana at 707 275-3500.

The Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club is a member of the Mendo-Lake District of the California Garden Club Inc.-Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around Lake County and the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.

LAKE COUNTY

Highway 20

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Long Valley Road to New Long Valley Road on Tuesday, Nov. 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Pavement marker replacement from .3 miles north of the Siegler Canyon Bridge to just north of Cruikshank Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., or from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance 1.5 miles south of Konocti Forestry Camp beginning Wednesday, Nov. 16. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 53
 
– Rocky fire cleanup near 40th Avenue will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– AT&T has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs near Westward Ho Road beginning Tuesday, Nov. 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance from Old Stageroad Drive to Lighthouse Road beginning Tuesday, Nov. 15. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Bridge deck repairs at the Brush Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from the North Calpella Overcrossing to Cold Creek Bridge No. 3 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Routine maintenance near Frog Woman Rock will continue. A northbound lane restriction will be in place. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility repairs from Feliz Creek to Rosetti Creek beginning Monday, Nov. 14. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
– Bridge rail upgrades at the South Willits Overhead will continue. Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

– Rumble strip installation at various locations from Willits to Confusion Hill will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Emergency culvert repairs just north of the north Willits railroad crossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

– Emergency slide repairs just south of Standish-Hickey State Park will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 253
 
– Highway repairs east of Cattle Pass will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

DOCTOR STRANGE (Rated PG-13)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering a new dimension with “Doctor Strange,” the story of the brilliant, egomaniacal Doctor Stephen Strange, a world-famous neurosurgeon turned from science into the Master of the Mystic Arts.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is introduced as the medical genius with a gifted brain and steady hands, while his character is that of an arrogant, skeptical, and materialistic man of great hubris, resulting in a batch of flaws that could be his undoing.

The doctor’s life changes forever after a horrific automobile accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing and hope in the unlikely place of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Not even his fellow surgeon and sometime love interest Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) can save him either medically or mentally.

Their love story, stilted as it is, seems only slightly more believable than if John Hinckley had once been on a date with Jodie Foster.

Dr. Strange finds salvation in a distant land where he meets the mystical Ancient One (Tilda Swinton, the right actor to embody an otherworldly quality).

The Ancient One is called upon to guide Dr. Strange into a supernatural world where he must embrace magic and mysticism.

The Ancient One is very persuasive, while also being aided to a significant degree by her apprentice Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who also learned the mystic arts and the paths of alternative dimensions that are keys to the action.

“Doctor Strange” deals with parallel dimensions, astral planes, alternative dimensions, mirror dimensions and a bunch of other distorted realities in the space-time continuum that may prove either baffling or dazzling and maybe a lot of both.

Of course, the Marvel Cinematic Universe requires a villain that would become the supreme antagonist to Dr. Strange’s newfound superhero status.

That role falls to Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius, a former disciple in Nepal who turned his back on the Ancient One.

Mikkelsen’s deft kung fu warrior carries an incredible amount of sinister gravitas, leading him to be a remarkable adversary, in mind and body, to the mystical powers that have now been absorbed by Dr. Strange.    

Cumberbatch’s Dr. Strange has some nice quips and sarcastic one-liners that add the right touch of humor. Of course, he’s not even close to the scabrous wit of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, the fast-talking mercenary with a morbid sense of humor in his own Marvel film.

The special effects are worth noting in the battle scenes in New York, London and Hong Kong. The shifting, twisting landscapes of buildings are reminiscent of “Inception,” only more interesting and less intrusive into the overall storytelling.

To no one’s surprise, Doctor Strange will return in another installment because a superhero with magical powers in the Marvel world is not to be denied.  

TV Corner: 'Timeless' on NBC network

The possibility of time travel, which on its face is a silly notion, has an inherent appeal to many. If I could, I would take a trip to circa 1955 to see the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field and also visit a few other iconic ballparks that are now defunct.

For the NBC fall season, “Timeless” is a new series about time travel that wants to take itself seriously, but is in reality almost as ridiculous and impractical as my own dream to search for vintage baseball nirvana.

While NBC has already aired several episodes of “Timeless” and the series returns to the schedule in mid-November, you can do your own time traveling to catch up with episodes on Video on Demand or NBC’s Web site.

History buffs may enjoy the playful and yet deadly earnest intent of “Timeless” to capture significant historical events, where a villain on the loose seeks to alter the past to affect the future.

The mysterious criminal mastermind Garcia Flynn (Goran Visnjic) has stolen a state-of-the-art time machine from Mason Industries. Fortunately, he wasn’t aware that the machine’s prototype is fully functional.

The only hope to stop the bad guy from destroying America from within rests with the unlikely trio of a history professor, former soldier and a Mason Industries scientist who can actually pilot the orb-like spacecraft.

The most compelling member of the trio is Lucy (Abigail Spencer), the professor with encyclopedic knowledge of events such that the date of April 14, 1865, is immediately known to her as the assassination of Abe Lincoln.

Rufus, the scientist/pilot, is an African American having troublesome encounters with police officers during the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 New Jersey or with fellow black Civil War soldiers on the side of the Union.

“Timeless” goes to great effort to recreate history with detailed production values. Traveling to 1962 Las Vegas where the Rat Pack and President Kennedy converge at the Sands Hotel is stunning in its sense of nostalgia and dread.

The trick of “Timeless” is that the heroes must make every effort not to affect the past themselves, but even the most inconsequential happenings command the attention of the audience because they could alter history nonetheless. 

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

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – With tremendous gratitude, Habitat for Humanity Lake County held its annual fundraising dinner on Nov. 7 at the Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville.

Graciously hosted again by Marie Beery and her staff for the 15th year, the appreciative guests were treated to the warm atmosphere of community and friendship, a spectacular meal, and welcoming music donated once more by local Habitat friend David Neft.

With food and wine donated by the Saw Shop, this year the benefit raised $19,000, all of which will go directly to the Fire Rebuild fund to provide homes for the victims of the Lake County fires of 2015 and 2016.
 
If you would like to contribute to the Fire Rebuild Fund or if you are interested in volunteering for the rebuild effort, please call Habitat for Humanity Lake County at 707-994-1100 or come by the new office at 15312 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake to discuss how you might be able to help.

Donations may be made via PayPal by visiting www.lakehabitat.org or by mail to PO Box 1830, Lower Lake CA. 95457.

What can we expect from President Elect Trump? I believe the best way to approach the next four years of a Republican-controlled legislature and executive branch is to read the Republican Party Platform, adopted by the Republican National Committee in July 2016.

This 66-page document is easily accessed online by searching “RNC.” It is a long read, but worth the effort.

The most interesting section is “Government Reform.” It appears the use of market forces (privatization) will be used to limit federal, state and local levels of government in their traditional role and function of providing services to the American people.

Since the 1980s, Congressional Republicans have steadily moved forward with legislation to move government services from the public to private sector, with some modest strides made in the area of overseeing national parks, public education and prisons (among other services).

I personally oppose further privitation of public education, the military, national parks, federal lands, municipal/mutual water systems, and current policies under consideration, which seek to privatize the Veterans Administration, U.S. Postal Service and Social Security.

When government functions are privatized, market forces add profit motives into the cost of doing business, which increases the cost of receiving these services.

Other problems, like national security concerns, arise when government services are handed over to the private sector, for example, airport security.

Inherent in privatizing are increases in the cost of regulation, to ensure services are legally and fairly provided to the American people.

Before we give portions of our government away to large corporations, the American people need the time to intelligently discuss these essential matters relating to our democracy.

So read the Republican Party Platform. It will help all of us understand the next four years of legislation and policy changes in America.

Anna Rose Ravenwoode lives in Kelseyville, Calif.