Supervisor Rob Brown and local preschoolers enjoy learning activities during his recent stint as a preschooler for a day on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Courtesy photo.

His participation is allowing advocates to raise awareness about the importance of quality early childhood education, said Shelly Mascari, director of the Lake County Child Care Planning Council.

The day began on April 28 at 8:15 a.m., and Brown enthusiastically joined circle time, during which teacher, Katie Mansell, guided the children through songs and activities reinforcing the seasons of the year, and their monthly theme of “growing and changing.”

Students were invited to bring in photographs of themselves as infants, and share with the class skills and abilities they now have that they didn’t have as babies. The children glowed with pride as they shared skills they had mastered.

This activity helps prepare children for success in elementary school, by increasing their self-esteem, and preparing them to confidently share their ideas with the group.

“Many children enter kindergarten without this ability, and those who have had the benefit of a quality preschool experience really hit the ground running and find early success, which increases positive attitudes about school,” said Shirley Littleton, site supervisor at Lakeport Early Connection Preschool.

Brown's busy morning continued with outside activities, during which the children learn the importance of physical activity for a healthy lifestyle. Mascari said he was a big hit, with the kids lining up for the tire swing.

The day’s activities continued with spatial awareness activities, like blocks and puzzles; and pre-math skills development with art and games. Mascari said Brown seemed to enjoy tracing letters in piles of shaving cream, an activity that is popular with all the students.

The highlight of the day was the creation of a worm farm, which provided a great hands-on science learning experience.

Quality early childhood education has been proven an effective way to eliminate the achievement gap and make sure all children have equal opportunity to succeed in school, Mascari said.

Recent research has definitively found that adults who had the benefit of quality early childhood education achieved (from the Perry/High Scope Preschool Study):

• Higher monthly earnings (29 percent versus 7 percent earning more than $2,000 per month);

• Higher percentages of home ownership (36 percent versus 13 percent);

• Higher level of schooling completed (71 percent versus 54 percent completing 12th grade or higher);

• Lower percentage receiving social services (59 percent versus 80 percent);

• Significantly fewer arrests (7 percent versus 35 percent).

April was “Lake County Cares for our Kids” Month, which helped raise awareness about child abuse prevention, and the importance of quality early childhood education. Brown finished off a month of activities that included an Advocacy Walk, a Children’s Art Festival and the countywide paper doll project.

“Lake County is especially fortunate to have leaders who support children’s issues,” said Mascari.

She said that Brown enthusiastically participated in this activity, Supervisor Jeff Smith, showed his support in the Advocacy Walk and Art Festival, and Supervisors Denise Rushing, Anthony Farrington and Smith were set to participate in the Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award Dinner.

“We appreciate their support; it makes a difference,” said Mascari.

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Home to more than 1.2 million licensed motorcyclists, California has seen a decade-long increase in the number of victims killed or injured in motorcycle-involved collisions; according to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), a record 586 victims were

killed and another 13,252 people were injured in motorcycle-involved crashes throughout the state in 2008.

“Although the statistics are grim, California appears to be on course to see a potential decrease for 2009 in the number of motorcycle fatalities and collisions for the first time in several years,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “While it’s encouraging, there’s still much more work ahead and challenges to overcome.”

Helping CHP get the word out to the motoring public, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is set to display an important traffic safety message, statewide on Caltrans’ Changeable Message Signs for the next week: “Save a life, look twice for motorcyclists.”

"Awareness of motorcycle safety issues is making a difference, both with riders and vehicle drivers," said Christopher J. Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety. "The Office of Traffic Safety, California Highway Patrol and many others are working together to save lives and prevent injuries of riders throughout the state."

Whether traveling by two, three, four or even 18 wheels it’s up to all motorists to help create a safer highway environment by using common sense and courtesy while on the road.

“As a motorcyclist myself, I know the importance of always wearing the right safety gear, especially a helmet, as well as being properly trained,” said Robert Gladden, general manager of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. "Whether you've never ridden or are returning to the road after taking a few years, off training is beneficial.”

The CHP strongly encourages all riders to sign up for the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) before beginning to ride. CMSP offers the Basic RiderCourse for beginning motorcyclists and Experienced RiderCourses for riders who are interested in improving their skills.

CMSP expects to train 65,000 motorcyclists per year and operates more than 120 training sites throughout California. To find a location nearest you go to www.ca-msp.org/.

Hoping to get everyone thinking motorcycle safety awareness, especially in Southern California, the CHP will be running a public service announcement in movie theaters and on cable channels in the four identified high-risk counties for motorcycle-involved collisions. According to SWITRS these counties include Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange and San Bernardino.

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The Surfaris will be a featured group at this weekend's Clear Lake Cruise-In. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE – As part of an unprecedented effort by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, local business sponsors, a number of local car clubs and car enthusiasts, this weekend the streets of Clearlake and Lake County will take a leap back in time with the inaugural Clearlake Cruise-In.

The event will be the most elaborate classic car event that Lake County has ever seen, according to event organizers.

The festivities will include classic cars from all categories, awards, music, vendors, show and shine, poker run around Clear Lake and even a pin-up contest.

The festivities all day Saturday will be highlighted by a performance by the world famous surfer rock band The Surfaris and a classic cruise of Lakeshore Drive, which will be closed for cars older than 1973.

Spectators will be encouraged to observe the cruise between Redbud and Austin Park from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and enjoy the music on the Austin Park stage from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Clear Lake Cruise-In will be a fun and exciting event and all ages are encouraged to join the festivities.

For more info and a schedule of the weekend’s event see below or visit www.clearlakecruisein.com.

Saturday, May 8

7 a.m.: Car show check-in and set up in Austin Park

7 a.m.: Vendor set up

10 a.m.: Car show judging

11 a.m.: Enterprise Automotive open house

11 a.m.: LC Diamonds on the Austin Park Stage

1 p.m.: Maynard Albertson recognition

1 p.m.: Poker run check in Austin Park

1:30 p.m.: Pin up girl contest

2 p.m.: Bil Noteman & The Rockets on Austin Park Stage

4 p.m.: Car show awards ceremony

4:30 p.m.: Deadline for poker card submission

4:45 p.m.: Poker run prize giveaway

5 p.m.: The Legendary Surfaris on the Austin Park Stage

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Cruising Lakeshore Drive

9 p.m.: Bill Noteman & The Rockets on Austin Park Stage

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COBB – A Kelseyville man whose mother had reported him missing after he hadn't returned home earlier in the week was identified as the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred Wednesday morning.

Justin Karsten Molini, 32, was found dead by his mother and a family friend who went searching for him Thursday morning along Seigler Canyon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Based on the CHP investigation, Molini was riding his 2007 Yamaha R1 1000 sport bike at around 3:10 a.m. Wednesday westbound on Seigler Canyon Road west of Perini Road at approximately 50 miles per hour through a sharp curve.

For unknown reasons, Molini ran off the roadway and onto the shoulder and lost control of the motorcycle. The CHP said both Molini and the motorcycle went down an embankment and hit a rock creek bed.

Molini was ejected from the bike and sustained fatal injuries. The CHP report said he later was pronounced dead at the scene by fire personnel.

Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Molini's mother – who lived at the same address – had reported him missing and overdue on Wednesday evening.

The CHP reported that Molini's mother and a family friend went out looking for Molini Thursday morning, and that's when they came upon the collision scene.

The CHP said the crash is still under investigation.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .

LAKEPORT – A man serving a state prison term for sex crimes against children will be heading next to a state mental hospital.

On Wednesday, Scott Merlin Bagley, 47, formerly of Nice, was determined to be a sexually violent predator by a jury after a trial before Judge Richard Martin in Department 2 in Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport.

The Lake County District Attorney’s office filed a petition alleging that Bagley was a sexually violent predator prior to his being released on parole and back into the community.

The sexually violent predator trial was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Edward Borg, who is the specially assigned child sexual assault prosecutor in the Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Bagley was represented at the trial by defense attorney Komnith Moth.

The purpose of the sexually violent predator trial was to attempt to extend Bagley’s prison commitment before he could be released from prison, in order to protect the community, the district attorney's office reported.

Sexually violent predator proceedings are a form of civil commitment codified at Welfare and Institutions Code section 6600. All persons convicted of a crime of sexual violence are evaluated by the California Department of Mental Health prior to their release on parole to determine if the inmate meets the criteria to be deemed a sexually violent predator.

At trial, to establish that a person is a sexually violent predator, the prosecutor must show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the inmate has been convicted of committing sexually violent offenses against one or more victims; the inmate has a diagnosed mental disorder; as a result of that diagnosed mental disorder, the inmate is a danger to the health and safety of others because it is likely that he will engage in sexually violent predatory criminal behavior; and that is necessary to keep him in custody in a secure facility to ensure the health and safety of others.

Evidence at the trial, which commenced April 27, established that Bagley has 11 qualifying convictions, all violations of Penal Code section 288(a), lewd and lascivious act with a child under the age of 14, the district attorney's office reported.

Bagley was initially convicted of two violations of section 288(a) with two separate victims in Sonoma County in 1984, and served a prison term for those offenses. In 1994, Bagley was convicted of nine violations of section 288(a) involving three separate victims in Lake County. Bagley’s victims ranged in age from 8 to 12 years old. All of his victims were male.

Testimony by two Department of Mental Health psychologists, Deborah Inman and Andrea Shelley, established that Bagley suffers from pedophilia, a deviant sexual interest in prepubescent children. Both doctors testified that in their opinion Bagley posed a significant threat to the community if released because of his pedophilia and his demonstrated history of recidivism.

On Friday, Judge Martin ordered Mr. Bagley committed to the State Hospital at Coalinga for an indeterminate term.

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Esther Oertel offers advice this week on how best to use fresh, locally grown strawberries. Courtesy photo.

Strawberry season in Lake County has officially arrived. I had my first taste of the local season this week.

Just as I was biting into one of the red jewels, I could hear my son say “Wow!” in the background as he bit into his. Seconds later, my husband’s “Wow!” was heard. They’re that good when they’re fresh and local.

We visited Sky Hoyt’s Kelseyville farm and brought home a flat. If you’re hankering for some of Sky’s berries, you’ll find him at the Steele Winery farmers’ market on Saturday mornings. He has some pretty interesting farming methods which we’ll chat about later, but for now, let’s talk berry.

Strawberries are not actually berries at all, at least not by botanists’ standards. True berries have their seeds on the inside (think blueberries or cranberries) and, as you know, strawberry seeds are on the outside.

The yellow seeds covering the outside of the berry are considered individual fruits, with the sweet, fleshy part of the strawberry being the receptacle for the roughly 200 tiny fruits that cover it.

They’re members of the same family tree as the rose; in fact, in Italian strawberries are known as “fragola,” derived from the Latin word for fragrant.

They’re surprisingly nutritious. Only eight medium-sized berries provide 140 percent of our daily requirement for Vitamin C. They contain high amounts of antioxidants, which account for their bright red color. In addition, they’re a good source of folic acid, potassium and fiber.

They’re wonderful eaten fresh out of hand, sliced on cold cereal or yogurt, tossed into fruit smoothies, served on a sandwich with cream cheese and fresh mint, or added to a spinach salad (for which I’d recommend a poppy seed dressing or balsamic vinaigrette).

I love serving them fresh with balsamic vinegar and my recipe for that is below. While the combination of ingredients in the recipe may seem surprising, they work well together. The balsamic vinegar really makes the berry flavor pop.

A strawberry port wine reduction is fantastic on vanilla ice cream. For an added treat, soften the ice cream and mix in a bit of freshly ground pepper.

Strawberries should be stored in a cool, humid place; namely, your refrigerator with some special precautions. They’ll dry out without moisture, but go bad when sitting in too much dampness.

To store your strawberries, place them unwashed in a tightly covered plastic container or zipper sealed plastic bag with layers of paper towel between the berries. (Make sure to remove any bruised or moldy berries first.) The sealed container provides a humid environment and protects them from the drying effects of the fridge, while the paper towel soaks up excess moisture. I learned this method years ago from a strawberry grower at a farmers’ market and it hasn’t failed me yet!

If you’re not going to use your berries within a day or two, they should be frozen. To do this, stem, wash and dry the berries. Line a baking tray with waxed or parchment paper and place the strawberries on it with some space between them. Cover with plastic wrap and pop the tray in the freezer till the strawberries are frozen solid, then store them in zipper sealed plastic bags. Some folks roughly chop the berries and freeze in plastic tubs. That works well, too.

Frozen berries are fantastic in icy smoothies or pureed to make healthy popsicles for the kids. I like to make a fruity topping for pancakes or waffles by cooking frozen berries with a bit of water and sugar till it liquefies and then thickens into a syrupy consistency.

Now that you’ve got some practical ideas for strawberries, let’s travel back to Sky Hoyt’s farm.

Some years ago, Sky devised a clever method to grow strawberries that not only reduces harvest time backaches, but produces a better berry as well. Using salvaged material, Sky set up 12 long rows of growing tables to hold tubs of potting soil, into which he planted strawberries. (He also uses them for other crops, such as basil and carrots.) The soil is covered with white coated plastic and netting hovers above to keep hungry birds away. Ripening berries rest atop the plastic, rather than on dirt, to prevent rotting. Harvesting is made easier with the plants at waist level, as is tending the plants and checking for pests.

Sky uses a hybrid farming method, dubbed SAFE farming, that combines organic and non-organic methods for growing crops. (He’ll be happy to share a flyer with you at the farmers’ market.) His berry of choice is the Albion variety, a switch from last year’s Seascape, which can be harvested from May till October.

In Medieval times strawberries were associated with love. Whether or not they’re able to influence human love, these tasty, healthy berries are well worth your affection. Enjoy them while the local season lasts!

Strawberries with balsamic vinegar

This is a delightful way to serve this summer fruit. The balsamic vinegar brings out the flavor and color of the berries. It’s a refreshing dessert as is, or may be used as a topping for ice cream, shortcake or other desserts.

1 pint strawberries, washed, hulled and quartered

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine first three ingredients and marinate for about an hour (but no more than four). Add freshly ground black pepper to taste just before serving.

Esther Oertel, the "Veggie Girl," is a personal chef and culinary coach and is passionate about local produce. Oertel owns The SageCoach Personal Chef Service and teaches culinary classes at Chic Le Chef in Hidden Valley Lake. She welcomes your questions and comments; e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Sky Hoyt shows off his growing methods (when this picture was taken, basil

Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said the two men were involved in a physical fight but no arrests were made.

The US Census Bureau reported last week that its enumerators were beginning to go door to door in order to count people who hadn't responded by mailing back their census forms, as Lake County News has reported.

Bauman said that the census worker went to the home and asked to get the resident's information. The resident, in turn, told the census worker to go away, that he was too busy to talk to him.

The census worker reportedly said no, and asked to get the man's name and information, Bauman said.

When the worker took down the resident's name, the resident demanded the paper, saying his information was confidential. When the census worker refused, the other man tried to grab the papers and the two men began to struggle, tearing up the papers, Bauman said.

The census worker claimed that the man he was visiting pushed him down, while Bauman said the other man claimed the census worker hit him.

In the end, neither wanted to press charges against the other, which Bauman said ended in no arrests.

According to federal law, anyone failing to respond to the census either by mail or the followup visits can face a $100 fine.

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Michael Wayne Anduja, 23, of Lower Lake was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of exhibiting a firearm and felony possession of a dangerous weapon. He was booked into the Lake County Jail with bail set at $10,000, according to jail records.

Clearlake Police Sgt. Brenda Crandall said a call came in to police at about 11:47 a.m. reporting a man had brandished a short-barreled shotgun at several people at 18^th and Phillips avenues.

The suspect, Anduja, then fled the area prior to the officers' arrival, Crandall said.

“Highlands Academy and Yuba College were contacted for lockdown,” said Crandall.

Several roads in the area also were reportedly shut down while the police looked for Anduja.

Police searched the area and arrested Anduja shortly before 1:30 p.m., according to the police report.

Crandall said no one was injured in the incident, and the weapon Anduja allegedly brandished was recovered.

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On Friday the Third District Court of Appeal denied the request from the California Redevelopment Association (CRA) for a temporary stay on a Sacramento Superior Court decision reached last Tuesday that upholds a state law requiring the redevelopment agency payments.

The CRA is notifying its members and recommending redevelopment agencies statewide make the required payment on Monday, May 10, even though the association said Friday that it will appeal the Superior Court ruling and is confident the appeal will be successful.

CRA said the payment due Monday is the first $1.7 billion installment the state is raiding from local communities “which would otherwise be used for projects to create jobs, economic growth and urban revitalization projects.” CRA sought the stay to protect this funding while the appeal process wound through the Court of Appeal.

The payments will be made in accordance with a ruling by Sacramento Superior Court Judge Lloyd Connelly last Tuesday which instructed local redevelopment agencies to abide by the provisions of AB X4 26.

Passed last year as part of the state budget, AB X4 26 allows the state to take $2.05 billion in redevelopment funding over two years to use for state obligations.

“Taking this funding will stall job creation efforts in California at the worst possible time,” said John Shirey, CRA executive director. “The money being turned over to fund State obligations would have been used for local revitalization projects that would have improved our communities, created jobs and stimulated our local economy. CRA plans to file its appeal in the next week or so. We expect to prevail.”

Last, officials with the redevelopment agencies for the county and the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake indicated they were prepared to make the payments if the stay wasn't granted.

Payments are due this year and next. Lakeport will pay $313,005 this year and $64,380 next year; Clearlake is due payments of $1,014,736 and $208,716; and the county will pay $764,000 and $155,000.

On Friday, Kelly Cox – the county's administrative officer and county redevelopment agency executive director – said the county would be processing its payment from the county's redevelopment agency budget on Monday for the entire amount.

“It's budgeted and we've been planning to make the payment,” Cox said. “The court decision that was issued today doesn't come as a surprise to us.”

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Mitchell Hughes Lewis, 54, of Lower Lake was the inmate whose alleged escape attempt was foiled, according to a report from Capt. James Bauman.

At about 8 p.m. Thursday night, an on-duty patrol deputy and an off-duty deputy, who had just completed an arrest and control training class, were talking outside of the jail when one of them spotted a man in denim jail clothing running up an embankment from the facility towards Highway 29, Bauman said.

The fleeing inmate, who Bauman said later was identified as Lewis, turned and looked at the deputies but continued running the approximately 50-yard distance to the freeway, ignoring their orders over a patrol car public address system to stop.

The off-duty deputy immediately pursued Lewis on foot while the uniformed deputy raced to get on the freeway in his patrol car and intercept the fleeing inmate. Bauman said Lewis continually ignored commands to stop as the off-duty deputy chased him onto the freeway and eventually caught up with him in the center median near the Hill Road overpass.

As the off-duty deputy struggled to subdue Lewis on the ground, an off-duty Ukiah police officer who happened to be traveling on Highway 29 stopped and assisted to restrain the escapee until the uniformed deputy arrived with handcuffs to complete the arrest, Bauman said. Lewis was returned to the facility without further incident.

Bauman said Lewis had been in custody since November and was scheduled for sentencing Friday on felon in possession of ammunition and resisting arrest charges.

He later told deputies that he expected to be sentenced for an extended term and tried to escape in order to see his elderly parents before going to prison, Bauman said. A plastic bag containing additional jail clothing and other items was recovered from the shoulder of the freeway near the area of his arrest.

Bauman said Lewis was classified as minimum security and was therefore housed in a minimum security dorm at the jail. He now will face felony escape charges, as well another misdemeanor resisting arrest charge.

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The California Highway Patrol reported the fatality at around 9:30 a.m. Thursday on Seigler Springs Road.

CHP and fire officials responded to the scene, where Lake County News correspondent Roger Kinney witnessed the male victim being brought up from the creek in a rescue basket.

Kinney said it appeared that the motorcycle rider went straight rather than following the lefthand turn and went into the creek as a result.

The motorcyclist reportedly was aboard a blue sport bike that was destroyed in the wreck.

The CHP offered no other details by day's end, and did not identify the crash victim.

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