LAKEPORT, Calif. – The third annual Heroes of Health and Safety Fair served nearly 2,000 Lake County residents on Saturday, Oct. 15.
 
Sutter Lakeside Hospital hosted the event at the Lake County fairgrounds in partnership with the county of Lake, Behavioral Health, Lakeview Health Center, Lake Family Resource Center, Lake County Office of Education, Lake County Fire Chief’s Association, California Highway Patrol, Hospice Services of Lake County, the Hero Project, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, the American Red Cross, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
 
“This event has grown exponentially over the last three years,” said Allison Panella, community benefit specialist at Sutter Lakeside Hospital. “We cannot commend our community partners enough for raising the bar each year. We’ve greatly expanded the onsite services available to the community because of the willingness of community leaders to help, and have received great feedback from attendees.”
 
The fair served as a family-centric day that provided entertainment, as well as education and health care services.

Kelseyville Sunrise Rotary gave away 430 children’s bike helmets, and a total of 53 bikes were raffled to children throughout the day.

Public Health administered 470 free flu vaccinations, while My Safe California educated more than 400 people on fire safety.
 
“One quarter of attendees received a flu shot,” said Panella. “Public Health did a great job of administering virtually pain-free shots.”
 
“What really makes this event so special is all of the local agencies that come together to provide fun, food, and health centered information to the whole family,” said Kim Tangermann, clinic director, Lakeview Health Center. ”Seeing kids beaming as they win a bike, or receive a new life jacket, or sit in a fire truck is heartwarming. Connecting a family with medical or dental care holds the promise of a healthy family in the future. I am honored to work alongside this wonderful group of caring people.”
 
Additionally, Tribal Health and St. Helena Hospital-Clear Lake provided fluoride treatments and dental screenings while Lakeview Health Center provided dental education and dental kits.

The fair also provided A1C diabetic screenings, blood pressure screenings, oral cancer screenings, insurance information and EKG testing.
 
“We’re thrilled with the turn out, especially because of the rain,” said Panella. “We’re already excited for next year.”

Morgen Wells is Community Relations & Fund Development coordinator at Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has begun processing of absentee or vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 8 Consolidated General Election.

The processing of the vote-by-mail voter ballots began on Oct. 20 and will continue through Election Day as well as during the official canvass.

The counting of the official ballots will commence on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the Registrar of Voters Office, however, results will not be announced until after the close of the polls at 8 p.m.

The official canvass will commence on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m., and will continue daily (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excluded) until completed.

Observers are invited to view the processing and counting of the ballots, but shall not interfere with the election process.

The Registrar of Voters Office is located on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, Room 209, at 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The Lakeport Employees Association is pleased to join several community groups and concerned citizens in support of Measure Z.

Lakeport is the center of our community, with services, businesses and recreation opportunities that draw 30,000 people every day.

Measure Z will provide locally-controlled funds to help address local community priorities, such as:

• Paving and repairing streets and roads;
• Maintaining police responses to violent crimes;
• Maintaining police responses to property crimes, such as burglaries;
• Attracting and retaining quality police officers;
• Retaining existing companies and businesses in the city.

There are several economic challenges facing small communities across the state. Measure Z will ensure that vital services will not be lost or severely cut in Lakeport.

Manuel Martinez is president of the Lakeport Employees Association in Lakeport, Calif.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A joint annual Charge Conference for the seven congregations of Lake Circuit United Methodists will be held on Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Kelseyville United Methodist Church.

"An annual Charge Conference is a requirement of each United Methodist Church worldwide," explained Great Northern District Lake Circuit Leader Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth, who is the pastor of both Middletown and Clearlake United Methodist churches.

"The six pastors of our seven Methodist Churches meet monthly to explore ways to support the focus of our various communities of faith," Kimbell-Auth said. “We will begin the day with a joint worship service that includes communion and participation by all six pastors at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary of the Kelseyville United Methodist Church.”

A county potluck will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Individual church charge meetings will be held to approve church leadership for 2017, confirm pastoral compensation and provide reports on state of the church.

"All United Methodists members and friends are invited to join us for this day of celebration, communion and preparation for serving the people of God in 2017,” Kimbell-Auth said.

The Kelseyville United Methodist Church is located at 3810 Main and First streets in Kelseyville.

If you have questions, please contact Rev. Kimbell-Auth at 707-987-3379.

United Methodists practice “Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors” led by the teachings of Christ Jesus.

Can a turkey’s age be determined by beard and spur?

Question: I am fairly new to turkey hunting and hear everyone always referring to their birds by their beards and spurs. Can wild turkeys be aged based on these trophy characteristics? (Jim C., Modesto)

Answer: Yes and no. There is no absolute standard for identifying a wild turkey’s age, but there are some general guidelines that can be used to provide fairly reliable estimates.

While precisely determining a turkey’s age in years may be difficult, there is a surefire method for distinguishing between adults and juveniles using the last two primary flight feathers.

In juvenile birds the feathers will be sharp at the ends. By the time the bird reaches maturity at one year of age, it will molt and the two sharp feathers will be replaced by more rounded ones.

Beyond this, beard and spur length can be used to estimate a bird’s age, but unfortunately, it’s not an exact method. Variables such as subspecies, environmental conditions, and possibly nutrition can alter the length of both the beard and the spur, resulting in a misrepresentation of the bird’s age.

In terms of beards, the general rule of thumb is the longer the beard, the older the bird. But, while a jake (juvenile) will not have a 10-inch beard, a four-year-old turkey may have a short beard due to any number of conditions.

If the turkey is in “rough” vegetation, the beard may wear away on the ground more easily when it grows long. If a turkey has long legs, the beard will be able to grow longer before it reaches the ground, where it will naturally face wear and tear.

The fact that the beard may have been altered at any time by environmental or circumstantial conditions prevents biologists from using this method as an accurate way of measuring a turkey’s age.

Spur length can also be used to estimate a bird’s age although, like beards, spurs can also wear down. Spur length does tend to be slightly more reliable than beard length, however, because they do not wear as easily.

While both of these methods are not entirely precise, they can provide an approximate age range. These estimates are not reliable for turkeys older than about three or four years though.
 
Freediving for horseneck (gaper) clams?

Question: I'm an avid free diver and spear fisherman, as well as a frequent clammer. While diving for crabs recently, I noticed a number of enormous clam siphons in the silty mud bottom in 4-8 feet of water.

Having previously dug for horseneck clams (Tresus capax) on a number of occasions, it was clear to me that these were horseneck siphons, or "shows."

These clams are all well below the low tide line and would thus be impossible to dig in the traditional way. Would it be legal for me to harvest these clams using a homemade PVC "clam gun" to excavate the mud in which they are encased?

Looking at the regulations pertaining to horseneck clams, underwater harvest is neither specifically permitted nor forbidden. (Carter J.)
 
Answer: Yes, you can take clams underwater using a "clam gun" as long as you are free diving. The use of SCUBA is prohibited for the take of clams north of Yankee Point in Monterey County.

SCUBA can be used south of Yankee Point. You don’t say where you plan to dive for clams, but you may like to know that there are gaper clams south of Yankee Point.
 
Here’s what the regulations say:
 
Invertebrates
29.05. GENERAL.
(d) In all ocean waters skin and Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) divers may take invertebrates as provided in this article except that in all ocean waters north of Yankee Point (Monterey Co.), SCUBA may be used only to take sea urchins, rock scallops and crabs of the genus Cancer. For the purpose of this section, breathing tubes (snorkels) are not SCUBA.
 
29.20. CLAMS GENERAL.
(a) Except as provided in this article, there are no closed seasons, bag limits or size limits on saltwater clams.
(b) Fishing hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
(c) Special gear provisions: Spades, shovels, hoes, rakes or other appliances operated by hand, except spears or gaff hooks, may be used to take clams. No instrument capable of being used to dig clams may be possessed between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, on any beach of this state, except tools and implements used in the work of cleaning, repairing or maintaining such beach when possessed by a person authorized by appropriate authority to perform such work.
 
Motorized decoys for doves and upland game

Question: Can motorized decoys, such as Mojo be used on doves or other upland game birds?
 
Answer: Yes.
 
Fishing with live shad? Cast net?

Question: I live in San Joaquin County and have two fishing questions. First, is it legal to fish with live shad? Second, is it legal to use a cast net/bait net to catch shad and minnows? (Justin)
 
Answer: A casting net or throw net is unlawful to use or possess in inland waters, but dip nets are authorized for taking certain species of fin fish that can be used as bait (see California Code of Regulations Title 14, sections 4.00 – 4.30 in the Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations available online or wherever licenses are sold).

Live shad may be used in the Valley and South Central Districts (CCR Title 14, section 4.10) in waters where taken, but they must be taken with a legal dip net under certain provisions.

Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Wilson is on vacation. This column was originally published Aug. 9, 2012.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – With rain returning this fall, the Caltrans “Protect Every Drop” campaign is reminding Californians about five simple ways to help keep our waterways clean by reducing pollution on our state highways.

Rain washes auto fluids, and grime off vehicles and onto highways. This polluted stormwater often ends up in California’s streams, rivers, and coastal waters.

Help keep waterways drinkable, swimmable and fishable by following these five simple tips to help reduce stormwater pollution:

– Keep your tires properly inflated. It decreases wear, improves gas mileage and makes tires less susceptible to blowouts.

– Regular vehicle maintenance. Fixing leaks helps prevent vehicle fluids from dripping on the highway and waterways.

– Keep your vehicle clean. Use a car wash facility that recycles water to get dirt and grime off vehicles before they end up in storm drains.

– Properly dispose of trash and recycling. Properly dispose of trash and recycling before they fly from a window or truck bed, and into a storm drain.

– Tarp and tie down loads. When hauling loads, make sure that items are properly secured with tarps and tie downs so they don’t fly out of truck beds.

By following these simple tips you can help keep California’s precious water clean.

For more information, visit www.ProtectEveryDrop.com .

THE ACCOUNTANT (Rated R)

As the titular character in “The Accountant,” Ben Affleck’s Christian Wolff is not your ordinary action-fueled protagonist who is keenly adept with high tech weaponry and hand combat skills.

To think of “The Accountant,” though it has great action scenes and a high body count, as just an action thriller would be erroneous. There is an unexpected wrinkle to the unassuming Christian Wolff’s demeanor.

At first glance, Christian seems to be nothing more than a storefront CPA, right down to his spreadsheets and pocket protector. But there’s much more to this apparently mild-mannered numbers cruncher than meets the eye.

On one hand, the accountant is a math savant, and on the other, he’s an effectively trained fighter as the result of his childhood upbringing at the hands of a harsh military father.

Christian’s autism is explored in flashbacks where his ability to solve puzzles could lead to a complete meltdown if one piece happened to go missing. The flashbacks frame vital clues to his unique character aspects.

Delving into Christian’s past is not just about his difficult childhood. A stretch in prison allowed for him to be tutored about “black money” from his cellmate Francis Silverberg (Jeffrey Tambor), a notorious mob accountant.

Everything learned on the inside proved valuable for Christian to be able to practice forensic accounting for a clientele that are among the world’s most powerful crime lords.

As a result of his special skills, Christian lands on the radar of U.S. Treasury inspector Ray King (J.K. Simmons) who is keen to discover the accountant’s true identity and whereabouts prior to his upcoming retirement.

We don’t know how Christian gets his assignments, but the unseen voice of his handler tells him it is time to lay low, and so he takes an assignment to review the books of Living Robotics, a legitimate electronics company.

Set up in a glass-walled conference room, Christian meets Dana Cummings (Anna Kendrick), the junior accountant who uncovered balance sheet problems. Together, they work on solving the puzzle until roadblocks affect their work.

The Living Robotics founder Lamar Blackburn (John Lithgow), despite promoting a humane mission to help people who lost limbs, may have sinister or ulterior motives.

A person with inferior social skills, Christian doesn’t know how to connect with Dana on a personal level, and he’s barely able to make eye contact during their awkward conversations.

However, Dana’s life is put in danger when a slew of bad guys, organized by hired muscle Braxton (Jon Bernthal), coming gunning for her. Fortunately, Christian offers a lifeline by becoming Dana’s well-armed protector.

Whereas the first half of the story primarily revolves around a series of complex plot devices and character revelations, the latter part sets in motion vigilante-like lethal retributions by the gun-toting accountant.

Portraying a character with enough quirks to fill an Airstream trailer, Ben Affleck delivers the goods as an autistic version of Jason Bourne, a relentless killing machine with a peculiar set of vulnerabilities.

When the action arrives in full force with climactic certainty, “The Accountant” should not disappoint action fans, as it proves to be better than most in this genre.

TV Corner: 'Killing Reagan' on National Geographic Channel

Bill O’Reilly, political commentator and TV host, has created a cottage industry of books about historical figures, including a series about assassinations of popular U.S. presidents.

First, it was the “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Kennedy” books, and then followed by “Killing Reagan,” which relates the attempt on the 40th president’s life, one which proved to be far more serious than initially thought.

Outside the orbit of politics, there was also the book “Killing Jesus.” Now in its fourth collaboration with O’Reilly, National Geographic Channel brings forward a two-hour TV movie for “Killing Reagan,” starring Tim Matheson as Ronald Reagan and Cynthia Nixon as the First Lady.

“Killing Reagan” starts during the waning days of the 1980 presidential campaign, when then candidate Reagan was in a tough battle with incumbent Jimmy Carter. Much time is spent on political advisors fretting about the election and the one and only upcoming debate.

Previous controversy over Bill O’Reilly’s portrait of the president as not being the same person after the shooting is glossed over here, though one may try to square that with Reagan returning to form less than a month later in a speech to a joint session of Congress.

In any case, much of the movie focuses on would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr (Kyle More), a pathetic case of a man with deep psychological issues as the result of his deranged fixation on actress Jodie Foster.

“Killing Reagan” could have made a case for really good drama, given that Secretary of State Alexander Haig (Patrick St. Esprit) famously claimed to be in control as the vice president was out of town during the time.

Moreover, there seems to be little new light shed on events at the time. Yet, the Reagan sense of humor shines through when he tells the doctors about to perform surgery that he hopes they are Republicans.

Granted the cachet of another Bill O’Reilly production, National Geographic Channel could score on “Killing Reagan” during a chaotic election season.

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

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Here is a list of the student council of Carlé: representing Carlé from Alan Siegel’s Advisory are Triston Miller, Mathew Madrigal, and Destiny Parlett as the alternative.

Angie Siegel’s student reps are Riley Nielson, Lloyd Bridges, and Jacob Walker as an alternate.

Lance Christansen’s student reps consist of D’Angelo Wilson, Brianna E. Legg, and Candice Safreno as an alternate.

Last but not least Dan Maes’ student reps are Ana Barnard, Eli Bayer, and Micaela Martinez as an alternate.

Student of the week last week was Vanessa Gonzales. She is a very focused student who always has her eyes on the prize of graduation.

Chilys are slips students get from a teacher or staff member for either: Community, achievement, responsibility, life long learning or empowerment.

The Chilys that have been filled out with a student’s name and one of these five reasons are then put into a box for a prize-based drawing. The winners are then permitted to pick a prize she/he wishes. We do this drawing once a week on our morning TV bulletin.

The Chily winner last week was Emily Greig for responsibility. She picked a cozy blanket.

The end of the second grading period and our silver level movie is on Friday, Oct. 28. Oct. 31 is a day off. Have a very spooky Halloween!

Harvest Fest is Nov. 1 to give those hard trick or treaters a few days to come down off their sugar rushes.

The students this week who helped with the bulletin were Ryan O’Bryan, Brianna E. Legg and Ray Bassett. Thank you.

This reporter interviewed Lilli Edson, Carlé’s new counselor.

Edson was born in the Bay Area then moved to Blythe, Calif., where she lived for majority of her life. She received her Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology, with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from the University of San Francisco.

Prior to her clinical experience in private practice and in schools, Lilli provided psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in a community based behavioral health clinic.

She received specialized training for clients at immediate risk of suicide which specifically targeted the management of mental health crises.

Edson has provided services related to mental health care to school aged children and their families through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative and the Lake County Office of Education and now as the educationally related mental health services counselor at Konocti Unified School District.

She specializes in family and child therapy and is skilled in addressing the social, emotional and behavioral needs of children. She is professionally affiliated with the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists as a Marriage and Family Therapist Registered Intern and Alpha Sigma Nu National Honor Society of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

Edson works at Carlé High School, Blue Heron and Konocti Education Center. Before becoming part of the team here at Carlé, she was interested in learning about our school. She was intrigued by the ideals of Carlé as she spoke of the empowerment that was encouraged amongst the student body.

Now that she has been working at Carlé she has noticed the strength of the population and has learned something from each child. She values their drive and resilience. She herself is driven by her family, the work that she does and the values that she holds. Carlé High School is lucky to have her.

Brianna E. Legg is a student at Carlé Continuation High School in Lower Lake.