UKIAH, Calif. – The Associated Students of Mendocino College and college staff joined efforts to provide a free holiday meal to students on Tuesday, Dec. 6, inside the Student Center.

The Associated Students supplied turkey, ham and mashed potatoes and college staff brought salads, rolls, vegetables and stuffing. 

The management group also provided pumpkin pies, whip cream, green beans and all of the paper products.

More than 150 students participated and were extremely appreciative of the free hot meal. 

Twenty lucky students also walked away with $25 gift cards generously provided by Schat’s Bakery and Café and the Mendocino College Foundation. 

“This is just another way we work together to support our students at Mendocino College. This event is so well attended each year and with everyone’s participation, it has become an annual event,” said Ulises Velasco, interim Dean of Student Services. 

For more information about Mendocino College, visit www.mendocino.edu .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Santa’s helpers at Savings Bank invite the community to help spread some holiday cheer by assisting local Christmas Efforts.

Tags are available at Savings Bank in Lakeport for the Lake Family Resource Center Christmas Wish Tree.

Stop by the branch at 290 S. Main St. to select a tag to help fulfill the wish lists of needy children in Lake Family Resource Center's domestic violence, sexual assault, differential response, teen parenting, nurturing parenting, Early Head Start and behavioral health programs.

Elsewhere in the bank's coverage area, Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort collection bins are available at Savings Bank on School Street and Airport Park Boulevard in Ukiah as well as the Hopland branch and Redwood Valley branch. Toys and nonperishable food items may be dropped off at any of these locations.

The Ukiah Valley Christmas Effort reports that the popular requests for the younger children this year include: baby dolls and Barbie dolls with accessories, Shopkins, Frozen, Monster High, Trolls, action figures, remote control vehicles, Legos, art supplies, books and sports balls.

Popular requests for the older children this year include: board games, art supplies, headphones, earbuds, books, cosmetics, jewelry, hair accessories and styling tools, remote control vehicles, and gift cards to local restaurants, stores and the movie theater.

The Savings Bank branch in Mendocino accepts nonperishable food donations for the Fort Bragg Food Bank all year long. During the Christmas season they also accept food and toy donations for the Mendocino Presbyterian Church Christmas Effort.

The Fort Bragg and Mendocino branch employees also partner with the Operation Christmas Angel program.

The local Social Services office provides the names, ages, genders and wish lists of the children on the Mendocino coast who are enrolled with Social Services. Stop by either location to pick an “Angel” and then return a gift for that child.

The employees at the Savings Bank Willits branch invite the community to stop by to select a tag for the 28th annual Kids Christmas Program which is sponsored by the Willits Wild Bunch and the Rotary Club of Willits. These gifts will be delivered to children in need by Santa and his helpers!

In Laytonville, the community is encouraged to stop by Savings Bank to drop off nonperishable food items and toys which will be distributed by the Laytonville Food Bank.

When searching for a specific holiday gift, it’s tempting to jump at the best offer you find. But be careful, the great deal you’re about to get might be a counterfeit item.

Every product is vulnerable to counterfeiting, especially brand-named clothing items and accessories, sports apparel and concert/event tickets.

According to a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office, global imports of counterfeit and pirated goods are worth nearly $500 billion a year, with many of the proceeds going to organized crime.

Unfortunately, the US is hit the hardest by trade in fake goods. Counterfeit products are bad for the economy and can even endanger lives – the OECD warns of toys that harm children, auto parts that fail, pharmaceuticals that sicken people and medical instruments that deliver incorrect readings.

The prevalence of counterfeit goods also takes a toll on consumers. So far in 2016, around 350 counterfeit product scams have been reported to Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker – with a median loss of $188.

To avoid accidentally purchasing a counterfeit product while holiday gift shopping, follow these six tips from your BBB:

1. Shop in established stores and on reputable websites. Try to shop at the brand’s own store or website or at an authorized retailer. If you’re not familiar with a website or business, make sure to look it up at www.bbb.org first to see its rating, complaint history, and reviews from past customers. Ensure that any website where you’re shopping is legitimate: hover over links, make sure the spelling and grammar is professional, and double check the URL and logo. It’s easy for scammers to create a fake website imitating a brand in an attempt to phish consumers.

2. Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. If you see an ad for an expensive accessory at an alarmingly low price, be careful. The steep discount may be because it’s counterfeit. Don’t click on ads you see online or follow links in unsolicited emails. Even if the email or ad is from a brand you’ve heard of, look up the URL independently because it may be phishing.

3. Be careful buying from online marketplaces. When you make a purchase through an online marketplace like eBay or Craigslist, you can’t inspect the item before buying it. This increases the odds of buying a counterfeit. If possible, inspect the item in person, and take it to an expert if it’s a big-ticket item like jewelry or art.

4. Buy sports merchandise that’s officially licensed. You can find authentic licensed merchandise and official retailers and resellers on the official website of your favorite team or league. Authentic apparel will always have the correct fonts, colors and spelling, attached tags will usually have hologram stickers, and there won’t be any loose threads or other signs of poor quality.

5. Make sure your transactions are secure. Don’t make a purchase unless you’re sure the transaction is secure. Businesses that sell counterfeit goods may also have poor security. Look for “https:”, where the “s” stands for secure, and other trust marks. Websites should also have a privacy policy.

6. What to do if you do buy a fake. Consumer Reports, a BBB Accredited Charity, advises that you not resell a counterfeit item as it could expose you to criminal prosecution. They also say that you’re legally entitled to a refund or legitimate version, no matter what the seller’s return policy is.

The bottom line: trust your instincts.

If you’re uncomfortable with some aspect of your purchase or if something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to just walk away. If you stumble upon a counterfeit item, report it! Consumers play an important role in advancing marketplace trust.

If you receive spam that directs you to a suspicious Web site or counterfeit product, report the info to the brand owner, the authorities and BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker/ .

Rebecca Harpster works for the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Due to the wet weather, the “Warm for the Winter” clothing giveaway, originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, has been postponed a week.

It has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and will be located indoors at the Clearlake Youth Center at 4570 Golf, Clearlake.

Hot cocoa and goodies will be served.

Clothing donations will be accepted through Dec. 17. They are still in need of children's coats, gloves and clothing, as well as sleeping bags, tents and tarps.

Jonathan W. R. Davies
May 29, 1963 – Nov. 20, 2016

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Dr. Jonathan W. R. Davies of Lakeport, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at age 53.

He was the fourth child born to Clifford and Beryl Davies on May 29, 1963, on the island of Guernsey in the British Isles.

Jonathan came to Lake County in 2001 and opened his private practice in obstetrics and gynecology. 

He joined the staff at Sutter Lakeside Hospital where he currently served as director of Women's Care as well as serving on the Medical Executive Committee.

He also served in the past as chief of staff, as a member of the board of directors and was chosen as Physician of the Year.

Jonathan had a passion for medicine, for women's health and for bringing new life into this world. He loved nature and enjoyed many outdoor activities.

Jonathan is survived by his wife of 16 years, Lisa Davies; his older brothers, Stephan and Phillip Davies; older sister, Elisabeth Tegeler; children, Caitlin, Christopher, Jennifer, Alexis and Alyssa; step-children, Cameron, Shelby and Brooklyn; and step-grandson, Cabe. He is predeceased by his parents.

At Jonathan's request, there will be no services. A memorial fund has been established at Umpqua bank for his children.

Jonathan was an asset to our medical community and will be missed greatly by many.

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

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) announced they will begin using the new Automated Email Notification Services to better serve and communicate with crime victims starting in December 2016.

The new Automated Email Notification Services will allow for a 90-day in advance email notification of release to crime victims whose offender is in CDCR custody.

The system also will be able to immediately email victims and notify them of an escape or death of an offender. With the addition of this new service, CDCR will discontinue sending notifications through the Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) service effective Dec. 31, 2016.   

In an effort to streamline notification requests and offender updates, CDCR began providing more electronic tools and services to victims and their family members over the past year.

For instance, during this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, OVSRS unveiled the new e1707, Request for Victim Services web form, which gives victims and their family members the option of using online services from their smartphone or any computer.

This electronic service allows the victim to update their contact information and change requested services quickly and on their own time. Also, the CDCR Inmate ID Locator, http://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov allows victims and other members of the public to confirm an offender’s CDCR number and current prison location any time of the day.    

Currently, CDCR delivers more than 20,000 notifications every year to victims of CDCR offenders. CDCR has approximately 117,000 offenders in its 35 institutions and another 14,000 offenders in its out-of-state correctional facilities, community correctional facilities and conservation camps.    

If you or a family member is a victim of a crime, it is vital that you register for available services provided by CDCR.

Registering with the department will allow you access to a menu of services including notification of release, escape or death of an offender, collection of court ordered restitution, assistance with the parole hearing process and requests for special conditions of parole.

Also, if you have been a victim in the past of an offender that is currently in a CDCR prison or has been under the jurisdiction of CDCR in the past, OVSRS may have collected restitution on your behalf.

Contact CDCR toll free at 1-877-256-6877 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  

Crime victims can register for services online at https://e1707.cdcr.ca.gov/ .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Join Middletown Art Center Artists and members for their second annual Members Holiday Show Opening Reception and the new Holiday Art Market. 

The festivities begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, and continue until 8 p.m.

Enjoy browsing a unique display of Lake Made original artwork and art objects by local artists.

The MAC Member's Holiday Show Opening Reception is part of the Christmas in Middletown celebration, and a passport station.

Lake County wines and sparkling apple cider will also be available for purchase by the glass.

“Patrons can purchase artwork at MAC during this holiday season and receive 5 percent off or 10 percent off for MAC members. And, they are supporting Lake County arts and culture, the MAC venue, and our local economy.“ said Lisa Kaplan, director at MAC. ”Give the lasting gift of art to your friends and loved ones!”

The Members Holiday Show features diverse works by MAC member artists and runs through Jan. 15.

The Middletown Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to promoting community and economic recovery in South Lake County after the 2015 fires through the arts and culture.

MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175, at the junction of Highways 29 and 175 in Middletown. 

MAC offers an array of memberships, child and adult classes in the arts, performance opportunities and a new Cinema Club. 

Visit MAC and enjoy work by contemporary Lake County Artists. The gallery is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.  MAC will be closed this week until Dec. 10 when the exhibit opens at 4 p.m.

When you support MAC through membership donations or purchases of art work, you help support a local creative community.

Learn more or contribute to a burgeoning Lake County arts scene at www.Middletownartcenter.org or call 707-809-8118.