How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Recreation
- Details
- Written by: Editor
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County Jazzercise honored 56 of its class members this year for attending at least 150 classes in the calendar year of 2012.
These students averaged three classes per week to attain their goal and were awarded a special Club Jazzercise shirt.
They also realized improved health and fitness for their efforts. Of these 56, 23 attended more than 200 classes, eight attended more than 250, five more than 300 and three, Consuelo Campos, Deb Lipari and Bob Olsen, attended more than 350 classes in one year.
Lake County Jazzercise celebrates its seventh anniversary in the south county area this January.
It has grown to 31classes per week – 16 of these with childcare available – and Junior Jazzercise and Team Dance dance classes serving ages 8 to 12 and 13 to 18.
There are seven instructors who teach all the classes in a 2,400-square-foot fitness center with sprung hardwood floors.
“We put a premium on providing our customers with a fun and effective total body workout,” said Jazzercise Center owner, Beth Rudiger. “Every Jazzercise class offers a friendly workout environment, quality instruction and innovative choreography.”
To learn more about Jazzercise and see the Middletown class schedule, go to www.jazzercise.com or contact Rudiger at
- Details
- Written by: Editor
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will participate in the annual International Sportsman Exposition (ISE) at Cal Expo in Sacramento from Thursday, Jan. 10, through Sunday, Jan. 13.
The event is the largest outdoor sportsmens show of its kind in Northern California.
Fisheries and wildlife scientists and game wardens will be available throughout the show to answer questions from the public and provide information regarding fishing and hunting opportunities throughout the state. A full service license booth will sell licenses, tags and report cards.
CDFW’s wildlife officer recruitment trailer will have information for anyone interested in pursing a career in fish and wildlife enforcement. In addition, there will a free laser shot game in the trailer.
Wildlife officer K-9 detection teams will also be at the show conducting demonstrations in the Sporting Dog Arena. The demonstrations are scheduled: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10; 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11; and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13.
California wildlife officers featured in the popular television series “Wild Justice” on the National Geographic Channel will be on hand for a presentation in the Adventure Theater Saturday, Jan. 12, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Marina Delucci of Rocklin is the winner of the first CDFW and ISE youth hunter essay contest where contestants submitted an essay, 500 words or less, on what “Passing on the Tradition” means to them.
Marina, an 11-year-old fourth generation waterfowl hunter, will be awarded a lifetime hunting license, a signed box set of DVDs of the second and third seasons of Wild Justice, and hunting gear and clothing provided courtesy of the CDFW Hunter Education program.
Marina will receive her award on Saturday during the “Wild Justice” presentation.
- Details
- Written by: Carrie Wilson
Question: As an avid abalone diver, it is disturbing to see all of the poaching going on. It is also disturbing that when the poachers are caught, they have such large numbers of abalone.
Why do the wardens observe individuals poaching tens to hundreds of abalone over limit before making an arrest?
We have read so many stories about time periods passing with observation before action is taken. Is it something about the law that requires such blatant damage before an arrest is justified? Is there a promotion incentive for taking down an especially large poaching ring?
I dislike even asking a question this way, but along with applauding the department’s efforts, I am often left with this very question. Please do discuss this. For one person who may ask you this out loud, there must be many thinking it. Thank you. (Peter A. Wolf)
Answer: You ask some good questions. One of the greatest challenges of abalone enforcement is the task of separating poachers from the vast majority of honest abalone divers.
According to Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) Lt. Patrick Foy, one of the primary ways wardens make a case is to contact divers after they exit the water.
Contacting a diver in the water is not generally effective, especially on low tide days where there are hundreds, if not thousands, of abalone divers out. Poachers often try to blend into the mix of honest abalone divers and try to look just like everyone else to avoid unwanted attention.
Other times divers use SCUBA to harvest their catch, further reducing the ability of wardens to make contact in the water. Whenever possible, evidence abalone are returned to the water. We use DFW certified divers to accomplish the task, or we work with State Parks rangers and lifeguards.
The question wardens are frequently asked by honest abalone divers is, “What can I do to help?”
The best action you can take is to be patient with abalone report cards and fill them out properly. Report cards are an excellent tool to help us differentiate between poachers and divers.
Other than that, be aware of divers engaged in suspicious activity such as making multiple trips to their vehicle, stashing bags of abalone or gear along the beach, harvesting abalone for other people and giving it to them, etc.
Report suspicious activity and suspect information such as physical descriptions, vehicle descriptions and license plates, etc. to CalTIP at 888-334-2258.
Tagged deer antlers
Question: Since deer antlers must have the tag on them for only 15 days after the season, why does the tag have to stay on the frozen head afterward? (Geoff V.)
Answer: They don’t. Tags are required to remain on the antlers for 15 days after the close of the season (Fish and Game Code, section 4336). However, since it is very difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between fresh and frozen meat, you are much more likely to avoid any questions if you keep documentation showing that any deer in your possession was legally taken.
Net required for kayak fishing?
Question: I do a lot of fishing and diving off my kayak. Someone recently told me that I need to carry a net for landing my fish. I have looked through the regs but I cannot find that provision. Can you help me? (Matt Sullivan)
Answer: Yes, that’s correct. If you are fishing from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters, you must carry a landing net with an opening that is not less than 18 inches in diameter. (CCR Title 14, section 28.65(d)).
Dredging in ocean outlets?
Question: I know suction dredging is not allowed in most streams and rivers without a permit, but what about the ocean inlets or outlets for streams and rivers? Would it be OK to dredge these points without going into them? (Anonymous)
Answer: DFW’s authority for suction dredging is limited to rivers, streams and lakes and does not extend to the ocean (see Fish and Game Code, section 5653). Our authority for regulating suction dredges does not extend seaward from the mouth of a river or stream.
However, permits may be required by the state Coastal Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or local agencies (e.g. a harbor district). We recommend anyone proposing to suction dredge in the marine environment contact those organizations directly to determine what requirements apply.
Carrie Wilson is a marine biologist 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. Please contact her at
- Details
- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The weekly Saturday morning walks at the Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake will resume this Saturday, Jan. 5.
The walks were closed for the holidays.
Walks start at 9 a.m. at the preserve, which is located at 6350 Westlake Road, off of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff.
The preserve is owned and operated by the Lake County Land Trust, a private nonprofit organization that works to protect habitat and open space in Lake County.
The walks are guided by Land Trust volunteers; a variety of birdlife and mammals can be seen.
“Trails at the preserve are a bit soggy because of the late heavy rains, so waterproof footwear is recommended,” a Land Trust spokesperson noted.
For more information, call Roberta Lyons at 707-994-2024 or the Lake County Land Trust at 707-262-0707.