How to resolve AdBlock issue? With tax returns due April 18, time is running out, but you can still help California's rare, threatened and endangered species when you file your state return.
In the Voluntary Contributions section you can donate any dollar amount to the California Sea Otter Fund on line 410 and the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program on line 403.
These special funds help support California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) endangered species research and conservation programs.
California's sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) were driven nearly to extinction, then given legal protection that has allowed the population to grow. In recent years, that growth stagnated, and is just starting to grow again, to a few more than 3,000 sea otters in California waters. This small population is vulnerable to oil spills, chemicals and other pollutants in road and agricultural run-off, predation by white sharks and other threats.
Donations to the California Sea Otter Fund (line 410) are split between CDFW and the State Coastal Conservancy. Those contributions have funded studies that link many sea otter deaths to polluted runoff, including fecal parasites, bacterial toxins and chemicals related to coastal land use.
The Southern sea otter is fully protected by the State of California, and take is not allowed except for scientific research and recovery purposes.
Additionally, the sea otter is federally listed, and it is illegal to harass, pursue, hunt, catch, capture or kill, or attempt any of those actions on such listed species.
Yet, just last year, four were shot and many others were intentionally harassed by people. The California Sea Otter Fund also supports a growing program to reduce human disturbance to sea otters.
Another 83 species of animals and 219 plants are listed by the state as rare, threatened or endangered. Donations to the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program (line 403) pay for essential CDFW research and recovery efforts for these plants and animals, and critical efforts to restore and conserve their habitat.
Past donations to this program have enabled biologists to study the Livermore tarplant (Deinandra bacigalupii) and the critically endangered Slender-petaled mustard (Thelypodium stenopetalum), and implement conservation efforts for the Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis), California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), Giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas),Tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) and Desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius).
"There is no upper limit to voluntary contributions; any dollar amount is welcome. But, with so many species in need of conservation efforts and given the size of the Golden State, we'd like to encourage higher donations," said CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Esther Burkett. "Can Californians beat last year's average of $15 per household? These plants and animals are part of our heritage and need your support to survive and thrive."
If someone else prepares your state tax return, please let him or her know you want to donate to the California Sea Otter Fund on line 410 or the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program on line 403. If you use Turbo Tax, when you're near the end of your tax return it should ask if you want to make a voluntary contribution to a special fund. Click "Yes" and go to lines 403 and 410.
CDFW biologists have achieved important recovery milestones and protected vulnerable species, thanks to California taxpayers.
More information about how CDFW uses funds in the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program and Sea Otter program is available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/tax-donation and at www.facebook.com/seaotterfundcdfw .
News
- ANTONE PIERUCCI
- Posted On
This Week in History: The beginning of the Civil War and the sinking of the Titanic
This week’s historical highlights mark two important tragedies in modern history: the start of a war and the sinking of a ship.
April 12, 1861
In hindsight it was hardly the first hostilities in what would become America’s Civil War.
Dozens, possibly hundreds, of people had already died, homes burned and soldiers recruited years before Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina.
Most of these early hostilities centered on the Missouri and Kansas border, however, and like the rest of the war and how it has since been remembered, the western front remained on the periphery of national interest.
It is easy to forget that when Fort Sumter was attacked in April of 1861, the state of South Carolina had already been seceded from the nation a full four months.
To the South Carolina secessionist government, United States Major Robert Anderson and his force of 85 men were foreign invaders on sovereign Carolinian territory.
Knowing full well the precariousness of his position, Major Anderson had already moved his force from Fort Moultrie at the mouth of the harbor to the water-bound Fort Sumter situated in the harbor itself.
This move, done just six days following the state’s secession in December of 1860, was widely criticized at the time as an overreaction to what many thought was an empty move on the part of the Carolinian government. After all, who would ever actually secede from America?
Anderson’s caution was born out when, on April 11, a representative of Confederate General P.T. Beauregard demanded the fort’s surrender.
Early the following morning, Major Anderson and his men were awoken to the sharp retort of cannon fire and the shuddering impact of shot on stone walls. They were being attacked. There was no turning back for South Carolina.
For the first few hours of the bombardment, Fort Sumter did not return the enemy’s fire.
For the last few months of their time in the fort, supplies had begun to dwindle and relief was nowhere in sight. The only ammunition the fort had to return fire was solid shot, since they had no fuses for their explosive rounds.
They therefore bided their time until the light of day could more completely illuminate their enemy’s location.
For the next 30 hours or so the battle raged on, with shells raining down on the defenders and shot searing outward towards the attackers.
The following day, April 13, Major Anderson was forced to accept the terms of surrender, which allowed him and his men the honor of firing a 100 gun salute on their way out of the fort and back to the north to safety.
Remarkably, no men were injured in the fort during the actual assault, although one was killed and another mortally wounded when a cannon misfired during the honorary salute at the end of the fighting.
On the Confederate side, one soldier had been injured during the fighting but also from a misfired canon, rather than enemy fire.
Unfortunately, the near bloodless battle, which ended in honor to both sides, would not set the tone for the war.
As the war dragged on beyond the first and second battle, each side became entrenched in their passionate dislike of the other. War breeds animosity, it does not solve it.
The nation that emerged four bloody years later was a stranger to the one that awoke, bleary-eyed, the early morning of April 12, 1861.
April 14 to 15, 1912
Thanks to the 1997 blockbuster, just about the only question we have regarding the sinking of the RMS Titanic today is why Rose couldn’t move over on that wood board and give Jack room. Seriously, there was plenty of space for two people to cling onto.
That plot hole aside, there do actually remain plenty of unanswered questions about the sinking of the Titanic, a luxury cruise liner that was supposed to be unsinkable.
The general timeline of events is clear: the Titanic set off from Southampton, England on April 10 for her maiden voyage to New York; the ship received several warnings of icebergs in the immediate area from other ships as she approached the southern tip of Newfoundland, nearing her journey’s end; around 11:40 p.m. on April 14 she collided with an iceberg; over two hours later she sank and over nine hours after the collision, help finally arrived to save those few passengers who had made it to the lifeboats in time.
Equally irrefutable are the numbers: 705 passengers and crewmen survived, while more than 1,500 perished.
There exist plenty of theories as to why the ship sank. Chief among them is that by attempting to turn aside from the iceberg and exposing her side, the Titanic had caused more damage to the most vulnerable part of the ship than had she chosen to simply hit the iceberg full on.
The discovery of the actual wreckage of the ship in 1985 and subsequent study of the remains have put to rest some of the wilder ideas.
During the inquiry into the wreck shortly after it occurred, testimony by eyewitnesses and architects and engineers estimated that the iceberg had caused a significant breach of the hull.
Some commentators claimed the hole to have been several hundred feet in length and a dozen feet wide in places. Even the most conservative estimate of the damage at the time was far from the truth.
In reality, the damage to the hull was far less dramatic, with six relatively small areas of damage located along the hull where the iceberg had caused the iron rivets connecting two plates together to break apart.
The iron rivets, when analyzed, were found to have contained a high level of slag, or contaminants, built into them – the result of shoddy forging.
When exposed to cold temperatures, iron rivets with high slag content are prone to snapping, just as they did on April 14, 1912.
The rivets, however, are not the sole culprits for the sinking of the ship, since the Titanic’s sister ship, the Olympic, served without incident for 25 years despite being riveted with the same iron rivets as her ill-fated sibling.
Regardless of why the ship’s hull suffered so much damage from a mere glancing blow, within 40 minutes of contact more than 35,000 tons of water had filled the Titanic, far too much for the ship’s pumps to handle.
Like a giant hand pushing the bow of the ship farther into the water, the Titanic’s stern rose into the air until the strain was too much and the ship snapped in half.
Outfitted with too few lifeboats and far away from help, most of the passengers on board were doomed the moment the ship collided with the iceberg; it just took them two hours to realize their fate.
Antone Pierucci is the former curator of the Lake County Museum and a freelance writer whose work has been featured in such magazines as Archaeology and Wild West as well as regional California newspapers.
- Editor
- Posted On
VA REACH VET initiative helps save veterans lives
Suicide prevention is one of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) highest priorities.
As part of VA’s commitment to put resources, services and all technology available to reduce veteran suicide, VA has launched an innovative program called Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health – Veterans Enhanced Treatment (REACH VET).
Recent research suggests that 20 veterans die by suicide each day, putting veterans at even greater risk than the general public.
Using a new predictive model, REACH VET analyzes existing data from Veterans’ health records to identify those at a statistically elevated risk for suicide, hospitalization, illness or other adverse outcomes.
This allows VA to provide preemptive care and support for veterans, in some cases before a veteran even has suicidal thoughts.
“One veteran suicide is one too many,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs David J. Shulkin. “This cutting-edge program is saving lives by identifying at-risk veterans and connecting them with the specialized care and support they need.”
Once a veteran is identified, his or her VA mental health or primary care provider reaches out to check on the veteran’s well-being, review their condition(s) and treatment plans to determine if enhanced care is needed. The program began as a pilot in October and is now fully implemented across VA.
“REACH VET is a game changer in our effort to reduce veteran suicide,” said Dr. Caitlin Thompson, National Director of VA’s Office for Suicide Prevention. “Early intervention can lead to better recovery outcomes, lessen the likelihood of challenges becoming crises and reduce the stress that veterans and their loved ones face.”
VA’s suicide prevention resources include the Veterans Crisis Line, which provides confidential support from specially trained and experienced responders to veterans, even if they are not enrolled in VA health care.
Veterans and their families and friends may call 800-273-8255 and press 1; chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or text to 838255.
For more information about VA’s suicide prevention efforts, visit these resources:
– Veterans Crisis Line website: www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/BeThere ;
– Suicide prevention outreach toolkit: www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/SpreadTheWord ;
– “Be There” public service announcement: http://bit.ly/BeTherePSA ;
– Suicide prevention fact sheet: http://bit.ly/2axW88D ;
– Make the Connection Web site: http://MakeTheConnection.net ;
– VA Mental Health Web site: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov .
- Janine Smith-Citron
- Posted On
Wings of Hope one-day camp scheduled
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Hospice Services of Lake County is inviting families with children ages 5 years and older that have experienced the death of a loved one to participate in a free bereavement camp.
The one-day camp will take place Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lakeport.
Hospice Services of Lake County recognizes and addresses the unique ways children grieve and heal from a loss of a loved one.
Camp activities are designed for healing in a fun and positive environment with horse and dog therapy, music, and a family art project.
“It is an honor to serve the needs of the children in our county who are experiencing the pain of grief over the death of someone close to them – whether it is a grandparent, parent, sibling, other relative or significant person in their lives,” said Jo Moore, a bereavement counselor with Hospice Services. “These children are facing heartbreak and sometimes giant upheavals in their lives. I get to offer my time, attention, and respect, as well as offer them some tools to help in the healing of wounds that death opens.”
Wings of Hope bereavement camps are offered by Hospice Services of Lake County periodically throughout the year and are facilitated by bereavement counselors and trained volunteers.
Preregistration for the camp is required. For information about the camp and its location, and to reserve space, contact Jo Moore at 707-263-6270, Extension 137, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information, call Hospice Services of Lake County at 707-263-6222. Visit the organization’s Web site at www.lakecountyhospice.org .
Janine Smith-Citron is marketing/development coordinator for Hospice Services of Lake County.
- NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
- Posted On
Space News: Asteroid to fly safely past Earth on April 19
A relatively large near-Earth asteroid discovered nearly three years ago will fly safely past Earth on April 19 at a distance of about 1.1 million miles, or about 4.6 times the distance from Earth to the moon.
Although there is no possibility for the asteroid to collide with our planet, this will be a very close approach for an asteroid of this size.
The asteroid, known as 2014 JO25, was discovered in May 2014 by astronomers at the Catalina Sky Survey near Tucson, Arizona – a project of NASA's Near Earth Object Observations Program in collaboration with the University of Arizona.
Contemporary measurements by NASA's NEOWISE mission indicate that the asteroid is roughly 2,000 feet in size, and that its surface is about twice as reflective as that of the moon.
At this time very little else is known about the object’s physical properties, even though its trajectory is well known.
The asteroid will approach Earth from the direction of the sun and will become visible in the night sky after April 19.
It is predicted to brighten to about magnitude 11, when it could be visible in small optical telescopes for one or two nights before it fades as the distance from Earth rapidly increases.
Small asteroids pass within this distance of Earth several times each week, but this upcoming close approach is the closest by any known asteroid of this size, or larger, since asteroid Toutatis, a 3.1-mile asteroid, which approached within about four lunar distances in September 2004.
The next known encounter of an asteroid of comparable size will occur in 2027 when the half-mile-wide asteroid 1999 AN10 will fly by at one lunar distance, about 236,000 miles.
The April 19 encounter provides an outstanding opportunity to study this asteroid, and astronomers plan to observe it with telescopes around the world to learn as much about it as possible.
Radar observations are planned at NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar in California and the National Science Foundation’s Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, and the resulting radar images could reveal surface details as small as a few meters.
The encounter on April 19 is the closest this asteroid has come to Earth for at least the last 400 years and will be its closest approach for at least the next 500 years.
Also on April 19, the comet PanSTARRS (C/2015 ER61) will make its closest approach to Earth, at a very safe distance of 109 million miles.
A faint fuzzball in the sky when it was discovered in 2015 by the Pan-STARRS NEO survey team using a telescope on the summit of Haleakala, Hawaii, the comet has brightened considerably due to a recent outburst and is now visible in the dawn sky with binoculars or a small telescope.
JPL manages and operates NASA's Deep Space Network, including the Goldstone Solar System Radar, and hosts the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies for NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations Program, an element of the Planetary Defense Coordination Office within the agency's Science Mission Directorate.
More information about asteroids and near-Earth objects can be found at http://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov and http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroidwatch .
- Editor
- Posted On
Lake County Republican Women, Federated to host Sutton April 12
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Lake County Republican Women, Federated will hold a monthly luncheon meeting on Wednesday, April 12.
The group will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Howard's Grotto, 14732 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Featured speaker will be Randy Sutton, co-chairperson of the Lake County Committee for the State of Jefferson Declaration.
Sutton will discuss developments in the efforts to form a new state in rural northern California and why political events are coming together in significant new ways to build the foundation for creating a new state. He will be prepared to answer the many questions that will be asked.
Sutton has an interesting background that prepares him for the work to which he is now dedicated. He is a life associate member of Vietnam Veterans of America.
He relates to recent military action through his son Corporal David Sutton of the United States Marine Corps, who served four tours in Iraq. Then, after a year at Tule Air Force Base in northern Greenland, he served a year in Afghanistan.
Sutton is a life endowment member of the NRA, life member of the California Rifle & Pistol Association and a life member of the Konocti Rod and Gun Club.
For more than 30 years he worked in the financial services profession as the registered principal of Sutton Associates, an independent financial planning, investment advisory firm in Lakeport.
His principled background also shows in another way as he is a lay-preacher and assistant to the pastor at the mission church of Clearlake Ministries.
Also, included on the agenda are items concerning local, state and national issues.
Lake County Republican Women, Federated meets the second Wednesday each month February through November.
For information on membership, menu selections and reservations, please phone 707-994-3543.
- Ted Kooser
- Posted On
American Life in Poetry: Objects Used to Prop Open a Window
Once the carpenter put the sash-weights into the wall next to the window, they were never seen again.
Eventually they fell off the ropes and with just one loud outcry fell deeper into the dark. But we propped the windows open with this and that, and forgot about the weights.
Here's a poem about those props by Michelle Menting, who lives in Maine, and who was once our assistant at American Life in Poetry.
Her forthcoming book is “Leaves Surface Like Skin” from Terrapin Books.
Objects Used to Prop Open a Window
Dog bone, stapler,
cribbage board, garlic press
because this window is loose—lacks
suction, lacks grip.
Bungee cord, bootstrap,
dog leash, leather belt
because this window had sash cords.
They frayed. They broke.
Feather duster, thatch of straw, empty
bottle of Elmer's glue
because this window is loud—its hinges clack
open, clack shut.
Stuffed bear, baby blanket,
single crib newel
because this window is split. It's dividing
in two.
Velvet moss, sagebrush,
willow branch, robin's wing
because this window, it's pane-less. It's only
a frame of air.
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. Poem copyright ©2015 by Michelle Menting, “Objects Used to Prop Open a Window,” from Terrapin Books (February, 2015). Poem reprinted by permission of Michelle Menting and the publisher. Introduction copyright © 2017 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.
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Helping Paws: German Shepherds, Chihuahuas and more
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has another varied selection of dogs of many breeds and sizes available for adoption this week.
This week’s available dogs include mixes of American Eskimo Dog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Kelpie, beagle, border collie, boxer, Chihuahua, collie, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever, mastiff, pit bull, shepherd and wirehair terrier.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
Chihuahua mix
This young female Chihuahua mix has a short tricolor coat.
She’s in kennel No. 2, ID No. 7243.
Chihuahua mix
This male Chihuahua mix mix has a short black and tan coat.
Shelter staff said he gets along fine with other dogs, is not food aggressive and when introduced to a cat, he allowed the cat to rub all over him.
He’s in kennel No. 3, ID No. 7229.
Wirehaired terrier mix puppy
This male wirehaired terrier mix puppy has a medium-length black coat.
He’s in kennel No. 4, ID No. 7244.
‘Luke’
“Luke” is a male German Shorthaired Pointer mix with a short black and white coat.
Shelter staff said he is a big, young, happy, bouncy boy would will be a lot of fun for an active family that is willing to include him in their activities. He would benefit from training classes for basic manners. He does well with other dogs that tolerate his level of play, but would do best in a home with no small dogs or cats due to his size and energy level.
He’s in kennel No. 5, ID No. 7057.
‘Oreo’
“Oreo” is a female Chihuahua mix with a short black and white coat.
She’s in kennel No. 6, ID No. 7262.
‘Midnight’
“Midnight” is a young male Labrador Retriever mix with a short black coat with tan markings.
He’s in kennel No. 7, ID No. 7239.
Australian Kelpie-fox terrier
This female Australian Kelpie-fox terrier has a medium-length black and white coat.
She’s not food aggressive, and when introduced to a spayed female dog she was shy at first but warmed up quickly and eventually wanted to play. She would be OK with children ages 9 and up. She was introduced to cats and had interest in them but was easily called off.
She’s in kennel No. 8, ID No. 7213.
‘Roxanne’
“Roxanne” is a female pit bull terrier mix with a short white coat.
She’s in kennel No. 9, ID No. 7200.
‘Rosco’
“Rosco” is a male pit bull terrier mix with a short tan and white coat.
He already has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 10, ID No. 6752.
American Staffordshire Terrier-mastiff
This male American Staffordshire Terrier-mastiff has a short black and brown coat.
He’s in kennel No. 11, ID No. 7225.
Border collie
This female border collie has a medium-length black and white coat and has been spayed.
Shelter staff said she has a high energy level. When introduced to another dog and a cat, she play bowed and was friendly. They suggest she would do well in a high energy home with older children because of her size. She also knows how to sit on command.
She already has been spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 14, ID No. 7227.
‘Lucy’
“Lucy” is a beagle with a short red and white coat.
She already has been spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 18, ID No. 4743.
‘Lexi’
“Lexi” is a female American Eskimo Dog.
She has a long, white and fluffy coat.
She’s in kennel No. 20, ID No. 7247.
German Shepherd
This female German Shepherd has a medium-length brown and black coat.
She’s in kennel No. 24, ID No. 7253.
German Shepherd
This male German Shepherd has a medium-length white coat.
He’s in kennel No. 25, ID No. 7254.
Collie-shepherd mix
This female collie-shepherd mix has a short brown, tan and white coat.
She’s in kennel No. 26, ID No. 7260.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
- Tamara Thornquist
- Posted On
Lakeport family wins 'Check In Communicate Challenge’
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Porter family was the happy winner of the Lake County Hero Project’s February Check In Communicate Challenge, which concluded in March.
The Porter family was randomly chosen and won a wide array of books supporting communication with families, feelings and emotion flash cards for young children designed to help them learn to identify and communicate about their emotions.
The challenge urged parents to check in with their children every day regarding school, friends, feeling and their daily activities.
It’s no surprise that communication in the Porter family, a family of 10, is already happening.
“Being more aware of good communication and being challenged to do so for an entire two months created competition in the family, which was fun and brought us closer together,” said Ruth Porter, mother of eight. “With so many children in the home it’s important to know they can communicate with mom and dad and have that open communication line.”
It is reported that children with open communication within their families are less likely to be depressed; parents are able to address sensitive situations like bullying before they occur and get out of hand.
Open communication can increase awareness, creating happier, healthier homes and families.
The Porter family has been a Hero Project family since the beginning in 2014. It is estimated they have completed more than 20 challenges over the past few years.
As huge supporters of the Hero Project, the Porters – Ruth and husband Ricky – feel that the Hero Project has really brought them together in creating one tangible common goal.
They are excited to continue the new school year and be part of the Hero Project’s legendary marketing material.
Grand prize winners from the 2016-17 school years will have a photo shoot this summer with their families to be used on the new challenge cards and social media, including the Hero Project Web site.
“This is a fun and exciting thing to be part of. This coming year we are changing things up. We are using our Hero families just in a different way. We are showing real moms, dads, aunts, uncles and families who completed the challenges and won for new marketing material,” said Audrey Patti, coordinator for the Lake County Hero Project.
The Hero Project is funded by the Lake County Office of Education and First 5 Lake. This program supports children, ages 0-8, by presenting parents with activities and parenting tips to improve parenting child relationships and to increase knowledge of early childhood development.
The program is free and accessed virtually though www.lakecountyheroproject.com , Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
The Hero Project also has an App which can be downloaded onto mobile devices from iTunes and Google Play.
To learn more about the Hero Project go to www.lakecountyheroproject.com .
- Rebecca Harpster
- Posted On
Consumer Care: New BBB Risk Index identifies riskiest scams
There is no doubt that scams have gone high tech, but the riskiest scam is the face-to-face home improvement scam, with fake check scams running a close second, according to the new BBB Risk Index, a sophisticated analysis that goes beyond volume to look at the risk each scam type poses.
The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute) recently released its inaugural BBB Scam Tracker Annual Risk Report, which provides comprehensive insight into scams based on the more than 32,000 reports made to BBB Scam Tracker in 2016.
There were some real surprises within the data: men were more vulnerable than women in seven of the top ten scam categories; and consumers 18-24 were the most likely to lose money to a scam.
This analysis uncovered that younger consumers have a lower median loss than people in their top earning years, partly because the types of scams aimed at older consumers tend to have higher median losses.
While seniors also tend to lose more money than millennials when they are scammed, they fall for scams far less often. And the biggest takeaway is that no one is immune from the risk posed by scams.
The BBB Risk Index measures risk along three dimensions: exposure (how likely are you to be exposed to the con?), susceptibility (if you are exposed, how likely are you to lose money?) and monetary loss (if you do lose money, how much is it likely to be?). Exposure X Susceptibility X Monetary Loss = Risk Index.
Based on the BBB Risk Index, the riskiest top five scams overall (U.S. and Canada combined) are:
– Home improvement scams, www.bbb.org/homescam ;
– Fake checks and money orders, www.bbb.org/fakecheckscam ;
– Employment scams, www.bbb.org/employmentscam ;
– Online purchase scams, www.bbb.org/webpurchasescam ;
– Advance fee loan scams, www.bbb.org/loanscam .
The BBB Risk Index is a paradigm shift in how to calculate the true impact of different scams. In the past, virtually all involved organizations used volume alone to create “top scam” lists, but this approach ignored two other equally critical factors: the susceptibility of the population and dollar losses.
For instance, the scam most reported to BBB Scam Tracker in 2016 – by far – was the tax scam. However, consumers are savvy to this con and rarely fall for it, so it did not even make the BBB Risk Index’s top ten.
Employment scams were three times as risky for consumers as tax scams, and ranked #3 on the BBB Risk Index.
Home improvement scams, ranked #1 on the BBB Risk Index, was the only category in the top ten to rely on in-person contact.
Because of the highly personal nature of this scam – someone literally at your doorstep – the exposure rate was low but the susceptibility rate and the median loss were both very high, making it the riskiest scam of all.
Fake check scams take on a variety of approaches, but all rely on the fact that consumers assume that when a check “clears” their account and funds are made available, they are in the clear to spend those funds. In fact, it may take several weeks for a fake check to be detected and returned, and that includes cashier’s checks and money orders.
The BBB Institute also notes that fake checks are used in about 30 to 40 percent of employment scams, and appear frequently in other scams, as well. Whenever a consumer is asked to deposit a check and then send funds back out for any reason, that’s a big red flag.
The full report is available at www.bbb.org/RiskReport . Consumers and businesses are urged to report all scams to BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker , whether or not money is actually lost.
Rebecca Harpster is public relations specialist for the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.
- Kathleen Scavone
- Posted On
The Living Landscape: Boggs Lake Ecological Preserve
"Tread lightly as you explore Boggs Lake Preserve. This is the fragile home of plants and animals that are rarely seen anywhere else. With your help this beautiful and important preserve will continue to provide the needed protection for their survival." – From the interpretive sign at Boggs Lake
COBB, Calif. – Lake County contains a myriad of sequestered spots that gleam like gold for the beauty they contain.
Boggs Lake Ecological Preserve is one of those special places.
Located off Highway 175 to Bottle Rock Road, then 4.7 miles to Harrington Flat Road, it contains a small parking area with educational interpretive signs and a self-guided tour around the lake.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Web page, "Boggs Lake Ecological Reserve is a 46 acre property co-owned and managed with The Nature Conservancy. It was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1998. Boggs Lake is an unusual example of an upland vernal pool that occurs on volcanic substrate. This Volcanic Ash Flow Vernal Pool is known from only a few localities in Lake County. The lake is not fed by streams or springs, but rather acts as a catch basin for rainfall during the wet season, then gradually dries through the summer. This natural community supports unusual plant species adapted to this unique environment. The lake also provides habitat for a variety of waterfowl and marsh birds."
This extraordinary lake was saved from a housing tract by many concerned Lake County citizens and groups.
Another threat was logging nearby, that brought a concern for the safety of this fragile area to members of the California Native Plant Society, local residents and botanists from the University of California.
With combined efforts this area has been mapped and studied. It wasn't long before The Nature Conservancy and the Lake County Land Trust partnered to manage this preserve and educate the public about the biological significance and diversity of Boggs Lake.
Sonoma State University has studied the Western pond turtles here, trying to determine the correlation between the turtle's temperature regulation and the animal's specific needs for survival, since the reptiles are listed as a species of concern by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The area around the lake contains downed trees which have been ravaged by drought and insects. The trees now attract fungi, termites and scorpions, as well as salamanders and newts.
The ponderosa pine, madrone, various oaks, manzanita, ferns, poison oak and Douglas-fir that dwell there now create a unique understory for wild mustard, rose, shooting star flowers and more, to grow and thrive.
Wildlife abound in this environment, and include coyote, deer, chipmunk, skunk, bobcat and more. The vernal pool provides a rest stop for migrating birds. Over 139 species have been spotted here, including pileated woodpecker, purple martin, red-winged blackbird, mallard, California quail and more.
The exceptional characteristics of the vernal pool include endangered plants like the hedge-hyssop that was found to grow here, back in 1923.
Vernal pools once proliferated all across California, before our state became intensely populated. Vernal pools are considered as a special type of wetland, and it is in vernal pools where special, ecologically significant flora and fauna can be found.
Vernal pools are located in the climate we have here in Lake County, which is considered a Mediterranean climate.
The pools form due to a rigid underground layer which keeps the seasonal rains from draining. When the water fills the depressions, then, gradually evaporates, unusual plants thrive only here.
In some vernal pools the unique ecosystems create homes for plants, animals and waterfowl that can't thrive elsewhere.
"The Lake County Land Trust protects land and water resources of important value on behalf of present and future generations. We work to sustain our county's cultural, historical, scenic and environmental integrity,” according to the interpretive sign at Boggs Lake.
For more information on the unique gems that are vernal pools, log onto the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Web site at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/Vernal-Pools .
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.
- Tim Riley
- Posted On
Manga-fueled ‘Ghost’ sci-fi action; ‘Brockmire’ on TV
‘GHOST IN THE SHELL’ (Rated PG-13)
If you accept Scarlett Johannson as a Japanese cyborg, then there’s a good chance that the relevance of “Ghost in the Shell,” derived from its Japanese manga source material, in a post-racial world of artificial intelligence is not constrained by any contemporary preconceptions.
On the other hand, it may be a debatable point as to whether a Nordic beauty, altered as she may be as a robot with a human brain, should be the lead character in an Asian animated-inspired action film where the setting is unmistakably patterned after a futuristic Tokyo.
But then, protests have already been lodged that not only Johannson but other non-Asian actors have been cast in leading roles in this science-fiction action picture. The unsettled view is whether “Ghost in the Shell” merits serious discussion on this argument.
Does Scarlett Johannson bring authenticity as well as depth to the role of the cyborg Major that talented Asian actresses like Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Q could not?
The answer might be in negative when you later realize that Major’s true identity is Motoko Kusanagi, and her Japanese mom is still alive and residing in a tenement.
I don’t think it’s worth quibbling that much about a character’s ethnicity in a futuristic world that eerily resembles the post-apocalyptic vision of “Blade Runner” in which a dystopian Los Angeles could just as easily been a major metropolis on the Asian continent.
Fans of the manga genre may find that “Ghost in the Shell” has the visually stunning appeal of the Japanese animation made popular with its roots in a science-fiction fantasy world that is now enhanced by the cautionary tale of technology run amok.
Ostensibly saved from a terrible crash, Major’s brain was transplanted into the shell of a robot, thus becoming a cyber-enhanced perfect soldier enlisted by her handlers at the Hanka Corporation to hunt down the world’s most dangerous criminals.
Teamed up with the physically buff Batou (Pilou Asbeck), Major is molded by Hanka scientist Dr. Ouelet (Juliette Binoche) to be the key enforcer in the Section 9 anti-terrorism unit charged with hunting down bad guys.
The number one target is Kuze (Michael Carmen Pitt), the mastermind behind attacks on Hanka executives. Oozing menace and rage, Kuze is the kind of villain who appears like he just escaped from a mental institution. In other words, he’s near perfect for the role.
The most interesting thing about Kuze’s wickedness is that he hacks into the brainwaves of his victims to turn them into killing machines for his evil deeds. Before too long, Major starts to figure that her own past has been distorted.
“Ghost in the Shell” could tap into more cerebral thoughts about the misuse of technology and its dehumanizing power to corrupt individuals into thinking their actions are for the greater good.
Alas, this science-fiction adventure is more about drawing upon the unique visual style of Japanese manga and running with the type of action set-pieces that are the staple of the genre. The results may be fun to watch, but opportunities for more creativity were missed.
TV Corner: ‘BROCKMIRE’ on IFC TV
In case you are not aware, IFC is part of the AMC cable network empire, where the currently best known series is likely the quirky “Portlandia.”
The talented Hank Azaria hopes to change that in his role of outlandish plaid-blazer wearing major league baseball announcer fired years ago during an epic on-air meltdown play-by-play of his then-wife’s adultery.
As the titular character in the sports comedy “Brockmire,” Azaria’s Jim Brockmire is either seeking redemption for his career or looking to hide out in a rust-belt Pennsylvania small town on the verge of financial collapse.
After a decade-long interregnum spent wandering foreign lands, Brockmire is hired by minor league team owner Jules (Amanda Peet) to rescue the fictional Morristown Frackers from the doldrums of apathy and despair.
Jules could be the perfect match for a broadcaster on the rebound. She’s strong-willed and hard-drinking, and Brockmire relates to that as his affinity for top-shelf booze has no bounds.
The borderline suicidal and self-destructive alcoholic Brockmire soon has a sexual relationship with Jules that is invigorated mostly by an apparent connection to the Frackers having a winning streak that fills the stadium with fans eager to have something to cheer.
In the broadcast booth, Brockmire is constantly letting loose with verbal zingers that would probably get him suspended if the Frackers fan base was not equally loopy and unhinged.
There are great scenes between Brockmire and his reluctant whiz kid broadcast partner Charles (Tyrel Jackson Williams), whose limited knowledge of America’s favorite pastime is a source of frustration to the veteran announcer.
Speaking to the nation’s TV critics during the recent winter press tour, Hank Azaria summed up the essence of “Brockmire” by noting that “in its own weird, alcoholic-soaked, soporific, dark, gritty, say way, this is a love letter to baseball.”
Indeed, a fondness for America’s game and the willingness to enjoy the raucous humor, often profane and unsuitable for family viewing, makes the enjoyable sports comedy of “Brockmire” a rare treat for hardcore fans.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
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