A huge heartfelt thank you to so many for the great community effort and the great turnout at last weekend’s inaugural Shakespeare at the Lake event.

We were thrilled to see so many people out Saturday and Sunday Night, at Library Park in Lakeport, for Mendocino College and Lake County Theatre Co.’s presentation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

We estimated that nearly 500 people attended over the two nights. Thank you to all who braved the heat to come out and see the show, you were both wonderful audiences.

As director, I can assure you, this event was no easy task. It took the dedicated effort of many people to bring Lake County an outdoor production like ours. There were more than 20 actors onstage, and that is only the beginning!

The entire community was a part of making this happen, covering details and issues, and any number of things, expected or unexpected, which are sure to arise on such a journey. I am grateful to one and all who jumped aboard and lent a hand.

From cast and crew, to the many community groups that were involved, and the business and organizations that sponsored the event, the number of individuals that helped our success is inspiring. A big thank you to you all.

While I will not attempt to list everyone who helped here, I would like to point out a few who were particularly instrumental to the project.

First, and early, Richard Smith, who approached me and offered his help as producer. I am a dreamer and an artist, with some, very simple, idea of what it takes to produce a play. Richard has done it before now, and did it well again, and his guidance was key in keeping me on track and under budget.

Wilda Shock and the entire Lake County Friends of Mendocino College organization also have been a great resource for planning and fundraising.

It was under the guidance of Steve Hixenbaugh as interim dean of the Lake Center of Mendocino College that this show found a home at Library Park. Margaret Silveira, Lakeport City manager, readily agreed to the idea to stage the show in Library Park, and all of the city of Lakeport for accepted it.

Lake County Theatre Co. quickly said yes to revitalizing the partnership with Mendocino College; their support was also very valuable.

And to all of those who were involved, know that I am grateful and moved by the tremendous devotion and support this fine community of Lake County has to offer.

Now we can look back on the production and say, “We did it!”

I say it with pride, joy and inspiration that rests in the hearts and on the shoulders of all that touched this project: actors, crew, community sponsors, volunteers, and, yes, audience.

I have been overjoyed beyond compare at the outcome of our work. It was lovely to watch, hear, to feel a part of this long tradition of Shakespeare, to look forward to the possibility of a new tradition of Shakespeare in Lake County, and to know, “We did it!” And also to hope we can do it again.

Beyond that, “I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.”
 
John Tomlinson was director of Shakespeare at the Lake's production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which was performed in Lakeport, Calif.

SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hold a discussion on the state’s regulatory and licensing framework for medical cannabis on Aug. 2 in Sacramento.

The board will also be discussing GMO labeling following the recent passage of federal legislation.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture – Main Auditorium, 1220 N.

“California’s agricultural diversity continues to grow as medical cannabis production enters the regulatory arena,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “In state government, we are working in collaboration with other agencies to develop a robust framework that protects consumers, growers and the environment.”

Last year, California passed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act that allows the commercial cultivation and sale of medical cannabis.

Several state agencies, including the Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Public Health, Department of Pesticide Residue and the California Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation have an integral role in developing the regulatory framework that will be in place by Jan. 1, 2018.

This meeting provides an opportunity for each department to give an update on current progress.

Invited speakers include: Steve DeAngelo, Arcview Group; Dan Grace, Dark Heart; Hezekiah Allen, California Growers Association; Nate Bradley, California Cannabis Industry; Amber Morris, California Department of Food and Agriculture; George Farnsworth, California Department of Pesticide Regulation; Asif Maan, California Department of Public Health; and Lori Ajax, California Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation.

The board will also be hearing about the labeling of genetically engineered foods (GMOs) with representatives from Just Label It! and the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.

The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome. This meeting will be streamed online at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/LiveMediaStream.html .

Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – July can test the mettle of even the hardiest Northern California resident.

It gets hot, sometimes dangerously so, in our inland regions. Yet it’s also a time for picnics and outdoor living.

And cucumbers are a part of that, often in ways we don’t notice which makes cucumbers perfect as Mendo Lake Farmers’ Markets' Harvest of the Month.

That pungent dill-pickle chip on a burger, or the sweet tang of relish mixed into a tuna (or tofuna) salad sandwich, cool us down while adding flavor and hydration with a crunch people have been enjoying for more than 3,000 years.

Cucumis sativus is considered a newbie-friendly garden plant, though they come with a few caveats: Be watchful for garden pests who will happily devour your crop before you have a chance to enjoy it, and don’t turn your back on the cukes themselves.

Like zucchini, they can grow very quickly when left to their own devices. Set your starts in some fertile, organically enriched soil and start accumulating pickle jars.

If you think of cucumbers as naturally appearing with a layer of plastic wrap, think again. As nice as those English cukes are, the variety available goes way beyond them and the dark green American slicers many of us grew up with.

Lemon cucumbers are little yellow gems, and Armenian cukes have an ethereal pale green skin with a rippled corduroy texture.

Pickling cukes are funny to see out of the jar, but they’ve got the bumpy skin and froggy green color you know from kosher dills.

While it’s fairly obvious once you’ve sliced one that cucumbers are hydrating veggies, they have more to offer than just a salad-friendly Gatorade experience.

Rich in Vitamins C, K, B1, and many minerals including silica and molybdenum, you can see why including them in a tossed salad with lots of other veggies is a great way to nourish yourself while getting your vitamin RDAs in.

At mid-afternoon on one of those “fry an egg on the sidewalk” days, pour yourself a glass of water in which you’ve submerged several cucumber slices and a few fresh mint sprigs; in fact, keep a pitcher of this going during heat waves.

You can add lemon or lime slices, fresh grated ginger or whatever strikes your fancy, but the cucumber base will keep you cool and replenish lost electrolytes.

If it’s one of those evenings when fresh tomatoes and a slice of bread are all you can deal with for dinner, consider adding some sliced cucumbers chilled in apple cider vinegar (or whatever you have on hand; malt and rice vinegar are each delicious here).

Tzatziki is a traditional Greek side salad made from yogurt, grated cucumbers and salt; it’s similar to Indian raita in that both can cool the burn from spicy food and are also great palate refreshers.

Or try this dead simple, stripped-down version of a classic Israeli Salad, from author Nava Atlas’s book The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet:

2 medium cucumbers, scrubbed and finely diced (you can remove the seeds and peel if you like, but I skip these steps and enjoy the extra juice)
4 medium tomatoes, finely diced
1 medium green bell pepper, cored and finely diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Juice of ½ to 1 lemon, or to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a serving dish, toss well, cover and let sit for half an hour at room temperature before serving. Include fresh bread to soak up the liquid.

However you slice them, relish each cucumber you eat this season.

Look for fresh local cucumbers at your favorite Mendo Lake Farmers’ Markets and local retailers. Find more information at http://GrownLocalMendoLake.com .

Prohibited from retrieving deer from private property

Question: Last year I shot a doe with my A31 tag in Los Angeles County (Archery Only-Either Sex). It appeared to be a lethal shot from 22 yards with decent shot placement.

I tracked the blood to a privately owned ranch 100 yards away. I stopped tracking it when it appeared she went onto the ranch property.

I then approached the ranch manager to get permission to continue tracking my deer. The owner initially agreed but after one of her coworkers talked to her, she retracted her permission (approximately 10 minutes from the time we spoke in her office).

She requested that we leave her property at once as she didn’t want people to think they approved of hunting. I didn’t have enough time to locate my deer and left broken-hearted.

I don’t like seeing animals die or suffer for no reason. I would never have shot if I would have known I couldn’t recover her. I believe I did everything legal and correct but it shouldn’t be right that a deer goes to waste because of the bias of a property manager.

Is there anything I could have done to recover my deer? Do I have any rights or is there anyone I could have contacted? I’m still sick over the situation. (Luke G., Loma Linda)

Answer: It’s unfortunate that this happened. Although the law prevents one from wasting the deer, the law does not permit the trespass to retrieve it.

Perhaps, if you’d contacted the local game warden, they may have been able to contact the ranch manager or owner for some possible assistance to prevent the deer from going to waste.

According to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Lt. Todd Tognazzini, when archery hunting it is recommended to hunt farther from private property boundaries to avoid this type of problem as deer taken with archery usually travel farther after a lethal wound than those shot with a rifle.

Tognazzini says he has never been refused when a fresh and legitimate blood trail is found leaving public land onto private property.

Spear fishing along a jetty without a license?

Question: I know that fishing from a public pier or first seaward public jetty/seawall doesn’t require a state fishing license. Does this also apply if a diver is spearfishing or collecting shellfish along such a jetty? (Jonathan)

Answer: No, the person must physically be on the pier to legally fish without a license. Once the person is off of the pier or most seaward protective boundary (jetty) placed to form a harbor, a fishing license is required. When diving from shore, he or she must be within 500 yards of their license (Fish and Game Code, section 1054.2).

Does a beginner taxidermist need a license?

Question: I am a beginner taxidermist and have done a few pheasants and ducks for myself only but would like to now do some free taxidermy for other people.

Will I need a taxidermist license and/or migratory bird permit to mount ducks even if I don’t charge for my services? (Christian T.)

Answer: California does not require a taxidermist license, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does require a license for migratory waterfowl.

A Federal Taxidermy Permit is required to possess migratory birds for taxidermy purposes if you do not otherwise have authorization to possess.

For example, a taxidermy permit is required if you would like to taxidermy a friend’s (or customer’s) duck harvested during hunting season.

A taxidermy permit is not required if you would like to taxidermy a duck you harvested during hunting season.

Further information regarding this federal permit is available on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Web site, https://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-8.pdf .

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. .