BRIDGET JONES’S BABY (Rated R)

A dozen years have passed since the forgettable sequel to “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” and a fair question might be why there is a need for a third installment titled “Bridget Jones’s Baby” if not for a payday?

There’s not a whole lot more to this latest chapter than a romantic guessing-game as to where the lovelorn Bridget, who has an unplanned pregnancy, will cast her future life plans.

Hugh Grant apparently opted out of a return engagement as the caddish Daniel Cleaver, and as a result he no longer has to compete with Colin Firth’s uptight barrister Mark Darcy for the affection of Bridget Jones.

His absence could be to the good, considering that his playboy character would more likely be drawn to exotic European models looking like partially-clothed centerfold candidates for the newly revamped Playboy magazine.

In fact, the filmmakers have some fun with Hugh Grant’s disappearing act, staging a funeral service for him after a plane crash in which no body was found. But many of the bodies attending the funeral could be members of the Swedish Bikini Team.

Fun fact: Emma Thompson, doing double duty as co-author of the screenplay and the role of Dr. Rawlings, is the sole artist thus far to have received an Academy Award for both acting and screenwriting.

Another fun fact: At age 47 and slipping comfortably, it may appear, into middle age, American actress Renee Zellweger, reprising her role as Bridget Jones, is no longer an ingénue by any measure, but still has a lot of spunk for a character celebrating a 43rd birthday.

Writing herself a good part as a snarky obstetrician, Emma Thompson is such an amusing delight for her limited screen time that one wishes she had more to do than lob some nicely timed barbs during prenatal exams with the expectant mother.

It’s left to Colin Firth’s bewigged lawyer to apply some dry wit to the proceedings, which may be the only thing he has going for himself in a competition with American tycoon Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey) for the renewed attention of the lovely Miss Jones.

Befitting any romantic comedy, there are some complications to the emerging love triangle. For one, Mark is now married but a divorce from a wife barely seen at all is in the offing.

Meanwhile, as the film opens, Bridget, a top producer of a TV news show, may be a lonely spinster who celebrates her birthday alone with a single candle on a cupcake, but at least she’s not reduced to the cliché of having a cat for a companion.

Bridget’s close friend at the studio is Miranda (Sarah Solemani), who encourages a weekend trip to a music festival with outdoor camping (a British Woodstock without the big name rock bands).

Getting stuck in a mud hole, Bridget is rescued by the gallant Jack Qwant, a billionaire developer of a dating Web site that applies an algorithm to determine the probability of a successful match.

Keep in mind that Jack is dashing, charming, funny and handsome, because after all he is Patrick Dempsey. Contrast him to the haughtiness of Mark, a brainy, clever person who comes across as prickly, and you get a sense there is no real competition between the two men.

In fact, Jack’s algorithm for love arrives at a likely conclusion that, at least from surface appearances, he and Bridget match up 97 percent, so they should be together, whereas Bridget and Mark match up only 8 percent.

Of course, love is not so easily reduced to mathematical equations, and the absence of empirical certainty of a match-up based on science goes a long way to explain how Bridget could have relations with both men during a short window of time.

As it turns out, if the film’s title is not enough of a clue, Bridget ends up pregnant after a tryst with the fun-loving Jack in a one-night stand at the music festival and then shortly thereafter a night of drunken revelry with Bridget winding up in bed with Mark.

You’d think the confusion would be cleared up quickly with a DNA test to determine the father, but this is a romantic comedy in which Bridget is not exactly forthcoming about her predicament, particularly to the two men and her doting parents (Gemma Jones and Jim Broadbent).

We’re treated instead to funny moments at the workplace where Bridget is coping with the annoying hipsters now running the network who insist on vapid news coverage reducing foreign affairs to an Instagram or something equally inane.

But again, some of the best moments belong to the deadpan delivery of Emma Thompson’s obstetrician who insists that Bridget is a “geriatric” mother who should pay more attention to resolving the paternity issue.

Without a doubt, “Bridget Jones’s Baby” is a chick-flick but it is not overbearing and annoying like some of the female-centric shows found on cable television. It actually turned out better and funnier than I initially thought possible.

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

NOTICE OF PROPOSED MINOR USE PERMIT

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Zoning Administrator will consider approving MINOR USE PERMIT 12-02 of Mark Tanti in accordance with Lake County Code to allow a Collector’s Permit for a 3,600 square foot storage building with an unfinished storage room above and to allow the garage to exceed the accessory height limitation of 20 feet, for a total structure height of 30 feet on property located at 5190 Lakeshore Blvd., Lakeport, APN 029-281-40 and 029-291-15. 

The Planner processing this application is Mireya G. Turner, (707) 263-2221 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

The Zoning Administrator will approve this MINOR USE PERMIT with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., October 5, 2016 to the Community Development Department, Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, California. 

Should a timely request for hearing be filed, a public hearing will be held on October 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Robert Massarelli, Director


By: ______________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III       

Photographer, painter, e-bike designer and author Joe Schopplein of San Francisco and Clearlake Oaks, Calif., died on Sept. 16, 2016.

Joe lived with enthusiasm for 88 years.

He is survived by his wife, Corinne McEvers.

Joe’s family survived in Germany during World War II despite being anti-Nazi. Afterward he emigrated from East Germany to Canada and, eventually in 1952, to San Francisco in order to be able to speak his opinions honestly.

His life and those of his circle of friends were and are emblematic of what has been special about the City. Joe’s autobiography, “But Fear Itself,” is available as a download on his Web site, www.SchoppleinStudio.com .

His first camera was from the crash of a Luftwaffe plane. Joe documented hundreds of pieces of furniture for students, woodworkers and publications. He photographed the collections of San Francisco City museums and art galleries. His archives hold the images of artists from William Wiley to Peter Voulkos. He was thrilled by the replacement of film by digital techniques. No more negatives and slides to archive!

Joe’s delight in discovery was boundless. For last few years he had been building a series of state-of-the-art electric bicycles, which he considered perfect for San Francisco’s crowded streets and Lake County rural roads, and safe for an octogenarian. The bikes and his research are on his Web site.

We wish him an open road for his journey into wherever he goes next. Perhaps the potato salad in the afterlife is a good as that which he made. His was a friendship to treasure.

SACRAMENTO – A new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown will help California meet the growing demand for water supply reliability and healthy ecosystems.

The law, known as the Open and Transparent Water Data Act, was authored by Assemblyman Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and creates a transparent and universal platform for sharing water data across the state.

In the midst of the most devastating drought in California history, this law will help move California towards a more effective water management system.

"The drought has exposed the need for a modern water information system to address the state’s water supply,” said Dodd. “California does not suffer from a lack of water data, but from a lack of usable water data needed to make smart decisions. This bill will create instant and accessible water information that will better enable water managers to cope with future drought conditions.”

“As California rapidly approaches a population of 40 million, with the world’s sixth largest economy, and in an era of climate change, we need to do a better job of measuring and managing the water we use,” said Lester Snow, senior advisor with the Water Foundation. “Only with long-term policy changes like the Open and Transparent Water Data Act of 2016 can we guarantee enough water for California’s farms, cities and environment.”

California has a number of databases containing information on hydrology, biology, water quality, the physical environment, and water use.

Unfortunately, this information is not uniformly collected, easily accessible, or publicly shared. This has largely prevented water managers from making timely and science-based decisions to lead California into a more sustainable water future.

“This landmark legislation will be a game changer for managing California’s most precious resource for decades to come,” said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council. “California's current water transfer market is inefficient and Assemblymember Bill Dodd’s legislation will create a fair, efficient and functional water marketplace with the power to ease the impact of drought and reduce water waste.”

"I would like to acknowledge Assemblymember Dodd's leadership on this important aspect of water data collection and management. I also appreciate his willingness to continue working with the water community to refine and improve upon the proposal,” said Grant Davis, general manager of the Sonoma County Water Agency. “The value of creating a statewide clearinghouse is that it allows us to make informed decisions based on data that already exist but are currently out of reach.”

The act passed the legislature last month on a bipartisan vote, and was supported by leading environmental, business and water management groups.

The new law also requires the development of open-data protocols for data sharing, transparency, documentation, and quality control that will avoid misunderstandings, reduce disputes, and increase the effectiveness of management decisions.

Dodd represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake, Solano and Colusa counties. You can learn more about Dodd and the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Lake County Zoning Administrator will consider approving MINOR USE PERMIT 16-21 of Donald Kennedy in accordance with Lake County Code to allow a Collector’s Permit for a 1,600 square foot storage building on property located at 21125 Loconomi Road, Middletown, APN 014-140-30. 

The Planner processing this application is Mireya G. Turner, (707) 263-2221 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

The Zoning Administrator will approve this MINOR USE PERMIT with no public hearing if no written request for a public hearing is submitted by 5:00 P.M., October 5, 2016 to the Community Development Department, Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, California. 

Should a timely request for hearing be filed, a public hearing will be held on October 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, 3rd Floor of the Courthouse.


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Robert Massarelli, Director


By: ______________________________________
Danae Bowen, Office Assistant III       

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair Board will meet on Monday, Sept. 26.

The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the fairgrounds administration office, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

The board will select the 2017 fair theme and discuss this summer's event, along with the Blue Ribbon Dinner and appreciation dinner, and the Lake County Fair Foundation.

Other agenda items include consideration of refunding overpayments of entry fees and committee reports.

The fair board's membership include Janeane Bogner, Steven Brown, Marcia Chauvin, James Cochrane, Katherine McDowell, Annette Hopkins, Meyo Marrufo and Jerry McQueen.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is Saturday, Sept. 24. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds Californians of the plentiful opportunities to enjoy hunting and fishing in the state and commends them for their commitment to conservation.

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. thanked California’s hunters and anglers for their conservation legacy and encouraged their continued support and dedication to conserving the state’s natural resources in a commemorative letter.

In 2015, more two million licensed hunters and anglers contributed approximately $90 million toward fish and wildlife management and conservation activities in the state.

Fish and wildlife management and conservation activities have resulted in numerous success stories over the years in California.

For example:

Tule elk
1874: Thirty were remaining in California in one herd in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
2015: 4,200 animals distributed in 22 herds across California.

Desert bighorn sheep (Nelson)
1915: They were nearly extirpated in the state.
2014: There are approximately 2,000 in California.

Wild trout fisheries
1970: No designated wild trout sport fisheries.
2015: 51 designated wild trout waters, encompassing 1,400 miles of streams and 14 lakes.

Landlocked salmon
1993: No landlocked salmon sport fisheries.
2015: Twenty-one reservoirs support sport fishing for Kokanee salmon and 12 reservoirs support sport fishing for landlocked Chinook salmon.

For more information on hunting and fishing opportunities in the Golden State, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov .

For information on how to purchase a hunting or fishing license, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/online-sales .

For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day, please visit http://www.nhfday.org/ .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Oct. 2 Fiddlers’ Jam at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum welcomes the return of the Ely Stage Stop Marketplace.

This free, family friendly, fun-packed day can be enjoyed by all, young and old alike. The marketplace, just outside the Ely barn, will feature local handcrafted goods and will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As usual, musicians will jam from noon to 2 p.m. inside the barn.

Admission is free and there will be fun for all ages. Enjoy music, refreshments, and the opportunity to browse and purchase the wares of local craftsmen and artists. Food will be available for purchase on site from the Cactus Grill in Clearlake.

Items available at the marketplace will include jewelry, beauty products, wood and metal products, local honey, books, and more.

The Lake County Model A Club plans to display several Ford Model A vehicles during the Marketplace. Approximately 5,000,000 were made and approximately 1,000,000 are still on the road today according to club member Dick Munger.

Beverages and tasty treats will be provided by the docents in the barn. Take a ride up to the house on the hay wagon where you can enjoy the newest displays of Mason and Ball canning jars and antique kitchen gadgets.

Donations made during the fiddling benefit both the Ely Stage Stop, helping to fund the blacksmith shop, and the Old Time Fiddlers Association, District 10, who uses it to partially fund their scholarship programs.

Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Hwy 29-Kit's Corner.

Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Fiddlers’ Jams occur the first Sunday of every month from noon until 2 p.m.

Come join the Lake County Historical Society and become a volunteer at Ely or our sister museum, the Gibson Museum & Cultural Center in Middletown. Applications will be available during the day. Join the fun!

Visit www.elystagestop.org or www.lakecountyhistory.org , check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call the museum at 707-533-9990.

SACRAMENTO – A record number of whales are suffering from entanglements in California waters – 2015 saw 57 whales entangled off our coast, which is the highest total since the National Marine Fisheries Service started keeping records in 1982.

Just in the first half of this year alone, there were another 40 reports of entangled whales off California’s coast. Many of these whales are becoming entangled in lost or abandoned crab fishing gear.

North Coast Sen. Mike McGuire’s legislation that will help permanently protect whales by removing lost and abandoned crab fishing gear from the ocean was signed Friday afternoon by Gov. Jerry Brown.

SB 1287 also received widespread and overwhelming support in the Senate and Assembly.

“With whale entanglement numbers skyrocketing off the California coast, we were able to bring together crabbers and environmentalists to get this common sense bill signed into law. This bill will save the lives of countless threatened and endangered whales and it will keep California’s crab fleet fishing,” Sen. McGuire said.

The Whale Protection & Crab Gear Retrieval Act, which was proactively initiated by the thousands of hard working men and women who make up California’s mighty crab fleet, would create a regulatory program with incentives for fishermen to retrieve Dungeness crab fishing gear that would otherwise be lost in the ocean.

It’s estimated that thousands of pots are lost every season and these pieces of gear could have hundreds of feet of rope attached to a locater buoy.

The lost gear has created marine debris and entanglement hazards for whales and other marine life, along with others in the crab and salmon fleets.

“In light of the record number of whale entanglements over the last several months, this legislation will provide us with the retrieval programs to ensure California’s beloved humpbacks and blue whales will have the protection they need to thrive,” Senator McGuire said.

Crab fishermen continue to take the lead on the whale entanglement issue and many are already taking part in a voluntary pilot project that was initiated two years ago.

Approximately 1,500 lost crab pots have been collected in that program. SB 1287 builds upon the successful pilot project by advancing a statewide solution to the growing problem.

Based on recommendations from the Dungeness Crab Task Force, SB 1287 will call on the Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish a retrieval program.

One hundred percent of the program will be paid for by industry related fees, not the taxpayers.

Dungeness crab fishermen, who obtain a retrieval permit through this program, will collect old crab traps after the crab season has closed each year. Those fishermen will be paid a recovery bounty for each trap retrieved from the ocean.

The bill also establishes a fee to be paid by the owner that lost or abandoned the crab trap. A crab fisherman who doesn’t buy back their lost or abandoned crab traps will not be able to get their vessel permit the next season.

The creation of a self-perpetuating program to recover fishing gear is a necessary action of the commercial Dungeness crab fishing industry to continue operating as a responsible, sustainable fishery.

“The Dungeness crab fishery is in the top tier of California’s commercial seafood catch and the entire industry has weathered a challenging few years, including the historic delay of this year’s Dungeness crab season,” Sen. McGuire said. “This gear retrieval program will be a great step forward in cleaning up our oceans and making a safer environment for the people who work the Pacific for their living and the whales and marine life that call the ocean home.”

A broad coalition of fishing and environmental groups were unified in supporting SB 1287 which will increase mariner safety while reducing marine debris and the potential for whale entanglement, including: Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Sierra Club, Californian’s Against Waste, California Coastkeeper Alliance, Earthjustice, Golden Gate Salmon Association, Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, The Marine Mammal Center, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Trinidad Bay Fishermen’s Marketing Assn, Crescent City Fishermen’s Assn, Half Moon Bay Seafood Marketing Assn, the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Assn, Natural Resources Defense Council, Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Surfrider and many more.