MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES (Rated R)

Unlike the most recent review of a family friendly animated film, this column turns sharply in the other direction with “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” where the “R” rating should be considered nothing short of a very hard-R.

This raunchy comedy, which deserves its adult rating for a smorgasbord of drug use, nudity, crude sexual content, profanity and general deviancy, seems modestly inspired by “Wedding Crashers,” yet taking the concept to another level.

What might be surprising is that the premise of two rowdy brothers needing “respectable” female dates for a family wedding is based on the true story of Mike and Dave Stangle posting an ad on Craigslist that goes viral and lands them on “The Wendy Williams Show.”

The screen versions of Mike and Dave are Adam Devine and Zac Efron respectively. Mike, the older sibling, is impulsive and a bit of a hothead. Dave is a little less prone to making trouble, but when paired with his brother all hell breaks loose.

Still in their 20s, Mike and Dave are New York liquor distributors who certainly don’t mind sampling their product, often to excess. This is what bothers their parents (Stephen Root and Stephanie Faracy) when the time comes for another family reunion.

The film has the promising start of any good raunchy comedy by highlighting the antics of the brothers as they invariably show up stag for a family gathering, get stinking drunk and proceed to destroy everything from wedding cakes to furniture.

With Mike and Dave’s little sister Jeanie (Sugar Lyn Beard) getting married in Hawaii, the parents stage an intervention with their unruly sons to demand that they bring nice girls as dates so that, theoretically, the wedding won’t be wrecked.

Thus begins the “audition” process as Mike and Dave go on a succession of double dates to find the right pair of girls to join them on the lure of an all-expense paid trip to the dream vacation destination of a Hawaii.

As you can imagine, the response to the online ad is overwhelming and Mike and Dave interview a strange field of candidates, from grungy girls to weird hippie chicks, paranoid girls and militant feminists, twin girls that look like guys and even girls that are guys.

But the brothers didn’t count on Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza) and Alice (Anna Kendrick). In a very deceptive manner, these two girls seek out Mike and Dave and charm their way into the winning spot as wedding dates.

Unknown to the brothers, Tatiana and Alice are pretty intense, crazy, down-on-their-luck waitresses, tough chicks who decide they need a break and transform themselves into nice, sweet, respectable-looking women.

Not until they get to Hawaii do Mike and Dave realize they have met their match with Tatiana and Alice, both of them capable of drinking anyone under the table and causing even more mischief than the Stangle siblings could imagine.

Of course, there’s a slow build-up to the coming explosion of bad behavior. For Alice, who had been recently dumped at the altar, the sudden reality of a happy wedding is too much to bear as she drowns her sorrows in booze and drugs.

The real wild card, however, is Tatiana, a tough cookie from Philadelphia who is ready to party and go on adventures. While pretending to be what she is not, Tatiana has to fend off the advances of a smitten Mike, who feels he may have found the right girl after all.

Not surprisingly, wedding plans start to go awry and the brothers are only partially at fault. Well, maybe they should take all the blame. Accidents happen with an off-road vehicle, and Jeanie finds herself looking a little worse for the wear.

Alice unwisely convinces Jeanie to relax with copious amounts of drugs and a sexually suggestive massage at the resort’s spa. One thing leads to another, and suddenly the groom Eric (Sam Richardson), a mellow dude oblivious to the goings-on, starts to have second thoughts.

Of course, Mike and Dave, though hardly far from innocent of any shenanigans, will be held accountable for any mayhem that results. And, indeed, it would be an understatement to say things get out-of-hand.

Arguably, Alice and Tatiana, going completely out of control, steal the show from the idiot brothers, and as a result, “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” could just as easily been titled “Tatiana and Alice Go Wild.”

In any event, regardless of top billing, Dave and Alice and Mike and Tatiana create the oddball coupling of schemers and hard-charging party animals so that “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” offers the raunchy laughs, though fitfully, to be expected from this type of comedy.

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

California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has issued a consumer alert advising Californians to use care when playing location-based virtual games, such as the Pokémon Go treasure hunt app, just released this month.

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality application that generates a virtual treasure hunt taking place in the real world. Consumers of all ages, including minors, play it on their mobile devices.

Using the forward-facing camera on a mobile device, players search for Pokémon characters in their vicinity, including at local parks, landmarks, and retail locations.

For Pokémon Go to work, a player must grant the app access or “permission” to his or her mobile device’s GPS function, location, and camera when downloading the app. To play and “capture” the virtual Pokémon creatures, the player must then go to physical locations, called “Pokéstops” or “gyms,” where other players may also be gathering.  

Consumers should be aware that the virtual experience in Pokémon Go can expose players to physical danger.

For example, there have been reports of predators and thieves adding beacons or “Lure Modules” to Pokéstops to bait individuals playing the game to certain locations in order to steal from them. Recently in Southern California, two men were so distracted that they fell off a cliff while playing Pokémon Go, and another man playing the game alone late at night in a park in Anaheim was stabbed multiple times by a group of men when he was distracted.

The Attorney General offers consumers the following tips to help them better ensure their physical safety and protect sensitive location data while still having fun playing Pokémon Go:

– Stop and think before you share your personal information with an app.

– If you elect to download Pokémon Go and therefore allow the app access to the location function of your device, you should deactivate the app’s location access when you are not using it. This prevents Pokémon Go from “running in the background” and having access to your location when you are not playing.

– On Android phones, review the permissions tab on app pages in Google Play store, which displays the information and features that the app can access on your phone.

– On iPhones, review the permissions you have already granted by viewing Pokémon Go in iPhone Settings. Make sure you are operating the updated version of the app to protect the security of your mobile device and privacy of your data.

– Consumers and parents should take the time to review the privacy settings on their mobile devices and the permissions within the app.

– To prevent children from making in-app purchases – buying extra content and subscriptions once the app has been downloaded – parents can adjust the settings on their mobile device. For iPhones, turn off in-app purchases and for Android, set your phone to request a password before purchases can be made. For parents who do not want to create a Google account for their child, there is an option to create a Pokémon Trainer account. Parents also have the right to refuse collection, use, and/or disclosure of their child’s personal identifiable information by directly notifying the game’s developer, Niantic.

– As you search for characters, remember that Pokémon Go is a game you play in public, with the public. As you play, be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. If possible, only go to a Pokéstop with a friend or partner.

– Parents and guardians should take extra care to know where children are going, when and with whom when they are playing the game.

– Pokémon Go characters and locations are randomly generated and some real locations may be dangerous or unsafe for players to enter. Stay alert and always watch where you’re going – being distracted by a phone in your hand could make you a target for a crime or susceptible to injury.

– Don’t trespass onto private property and don’t go into areas that are unfamiliar or risky to your personal safety.

– Business owners and local leaders can play a role in community safety by determining if their business, park or landmark is a Pokéstop or gym.

– Don’t play Pokémon Go while you are operating a vehicle or riding a bike or skateboard.

The Attorney General has published a consumer information sheet that gives step-by-step instructions for better controlling your location privacy on iPhone and Android devices, “Location, Location, Location Tips on Controlling Mobile Tracking,” at https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/privacy/cis-18.pdf? .

Also see “Getting Smart About Smartphones: Tips for Consumers,” https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/privacy/smartphones_consumers.pdf? , for general information on protecting privacy when using mobile devices.

Archery with lighted arrow nocks

Question: We are bow hunters and are wondering if there are any regulations against using lighted arrow nocks?

They turn on when shot from your bow and stay on until you turn them off. They operate by a small lithium battery and will stay on for many hours if needed.

The light makes it easier to follow the path of the arrow once released and will stay on until retrieved from the animal or wherever it ends up. (Joe G., Grass Valley)

Answer: There are no prohibitions against using lighted nocks so long as they don’t emit a directional beam of light.

“Notwithstanding the general prohibition of the use of lights in Fish and Game Code section 2005, arrows or crossbow bolts with lighted nocks that do not emit a directional beam of light may be used” (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 354(d)).

A nock is the slotted portion at the back of the arrow that sits against the bow string and holds the arrow in place until the archer is released.

Fishing with multiple rods in Tomales Bay

Question: In ocean and/or bays, such as Tomales Bay by Lawson's Landing, is a second rod stamp required?

Is a second rod stamp required to catch California halibut with multiple rods in Tomales Bay? (John C., Roseville)

Answer: A second rod stamp is not required to fish with multiple rods in Tomales Bay. A second rod stamp only applies to inland waters defined under CCR Title 14, section 1.53.

Restrictions on gear in the ocean pertain to certain areas such as San Francisco Bay and certain species such as groundfish and salmon.

Legal to mount waterfowl to give away?

Question: I was given a few ducks and some geese by a hunter in Fresno. These ducks have tags and the hunter provided me with an affidavit stating they were gifted.

I don’t have time to mount these anymore. Can I give them away for free since I don’t have a federal permit?

Also, I have a few ducks that I mounted for myself but would now like to part with them. Can I give them away for free as well? (Christina T.)

Answer: Yes. And for the gifted ducks and geese, once you are ready to give them away to someone else, you will also need to pass along any paperwork you received with them to the person you are passing the ducks and geese along to (Code of Federal Regulations Title 50, Part 20, sections 20.36-20.40).

How to check that a fishing guide has all licenses and insurance?

Question: I’m thinking of hiring a fishing guide for a trip. How can I check to make sure he has all the necessary licenses and insurance? (Barry N.)

Answer: To see if the guide is licensed and in good standing through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), please go to www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/guide and click on the licensed hunting and fishing guides link. This will provide you with the names of individuals with a valid California Fishing Guide license.

The license authorizes them to guide their fishing clients for money or compensation, but will not confirm that they carry insurance or any other credentials.

Your best bet will be to ask around about their reputations at a local fishing or sporting goods store or get a referral from past clients.

You should also ask the prospective guide to show you proof that they carry insurance and/or any other credentials.

Hoop netting with a winch

Question: I have a simple question about recreational hoop netting. Can I use an electrical device like an “Ace Hauler” to aid in the retrieval of my hoop nets?

It uses an electrical motor to aid in the work. You just wrap the rope around the wheel and pull. The motor does most of the work. If this is legal, are there any restrictions on the use of such a device? (Karl P.)

Answer: There are no regulations prohibiting the use of manual winches by sportfishers to assist in pulling crab traps or hoop nets.

Use of power-driven winches is prohibited north of Point Arguello, but there is an exception for handling crab traps or nets (see CCR Title 14, section 28.70).

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. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health has received a limited supply of vaccines to prevent against shingles, pneumonia and some Streptococcus pneumoniae strains.

Zostavax is a vaccine used for adults to prevent shingles, also known as Zoster.

Prevnar 13 vaccine is used for the prevention of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive disease caused by 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains.

These vaccines will be provided free-of-charge except for a $9 administration fee while supplies last.

Eligibility guidelines to qualify for this program are:

– Prevnar 13 vaccine is only available to adults 65 years of age or older.
– Zostavax vaccine is available for uninsured and underinsured adults age 60 and over.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Public Health at 707-263-1090 or 800-794-9291.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Eman Dalili to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.

“I would like to welcome Mr. Dalili to the board as our new student representative,” said interim Chancellor Erik E. Skinner. “He is an accomplished young man and brings a great deal of experience and perspective to the board. I am confident he will do well representing his fellow California Community Colleges students. We look forward to working with him on improving student success and expanding educational opportunities.”

Gov. Brown announced the appointment on Thursday.

Dalili, 20, of Palos Verdes Estates, has served as student body president of El Camino College since 2016 and is as a business analyst intern for Red Cross Blood Donation Services. He has been an ambassador in the Office of Outreach and School Relations since 2015.

Dalili was a trustee on the El Camino College District Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2016, intern in the Office of Congresswoman Janice Hahn from 2014 to 2015 and intern in the Office of Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi in 2014. Dalili is a Democrat.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year.

For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/ , https://www.facebook.com/CACommColleges or https://twitter.com/CalCommColleges .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Debra was born in Buffalo, Wyo., to Donna Watchous West and Glen West. 

She passed from this life on July 17, 2016, in St. Helena, Calif. An accomplished craftsman and her love of flipping houses was well known.

She is survived by Sally West, Heather Regan, Summer Regan-Lampert, John and Anthony Ramirez and families in Louisiana and Texas.

A celebration of her amazing life will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 6 with a luncheon gathering at her home on Island Circle in the Keys.

For further information, please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Napa Auto Parts of Lake County has honored Habitat for Humanity Lake County with a donation of $2,000 in support of Fire Rebuild Fund.

Deanne Padel, owner of Napa Auto Lake County said, “I’ve been inspired to give back to the community during its time of need, after the support Lake County has shown Napa Auto over the years.”
 
The funds for this gift to Habitat for Humanity Lake County were derived from their sales event that was partnered with NASCAR.  Up and coming race car driver Chase Elliot was on hand to sign autographs.
 
Donations to the Fire Rebuild Fund can be made by mail to Habitat for Humanity Lake County CA Inc., PO Box 1830, Lower Lake CA 95457, or visit www.lakehabitat.org to donate with Paypal.

All donations made will be used to provide homes for displaced victims of the 2015 fires.

NAPA, Calif. – The Napa County Mosquito Abatement District detected the first mosquitoes positive for West Nile virus on Friday.

Two samples of mosquitoes collected in American Canyon tested positive for WNV.

“These first mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus in Napa County this summer reminds us that we must protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites,” said Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio. “The good news is there are simple steps we can take at home and when we travel to stop mosquito bites, which can transmit viruses like West Nile.”

WNV is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. 

Napa County Public Health recommends that individuals “Fight the Bite” and prevent exposure to mosquito bites by practicing the “Three Ds”:

1. Defend – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.

2. Dawn and dusk – Most mosquitoes bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times.

3. Drain – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls.  If a swimming pool is not being properly maintained, or for other mosquito problems contact the Napa County Mosquito Abatement District at 707-553-9610.

California's WNV Web site, http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ , includes the latest information on WNV activity in the state.

Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds and dead tree squirrels on the website or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

For questions about local mosquito surveillance and problems with mosquito control contact the Napa County Mosquito Abatement District at 707-553-9610.