Recreation

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Written by: Editor

Published: 30 April 2012

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – When it comes to community, the Lake County Milers always comes up a winner.

And 2012 will be no different, with the 10th annual Spring Has Sprung Run/Walk on Sunday, May 20, demonstrating the club’s commitment to both the physical fitness of its members and giving back to local causes.

Two Lake County high school running groups will again receive a large portion of the net proceeds from the 5K/10K race.

The annual fitness event in Hidden Valley Lake will feature a flat 5K run and walk, as well as a challenging 10K run with hills and panoramic views.

Kids ages 4 to 10 can participate in their own 1/2K and 1K timed runs. Start and finish for all races will be at Coyote Valley Elementary School, 18950 Coyote Valley Road (take the Hartman Road exit off Highway 29 and turn at the first left).

The kids’ races are set for 8 a.m., followed by the 5K/10K for ages 11 and above at 8:30 a.m. Event-day registration is from 7:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. Prizes and medals will be awarded starting at 10 a.m.

Early registration through May 10 is $30 for adults and $20 for youths 19 and under for the 5K/10K (with fees going up $5 thereafter).

Entry for the kids’ races is $5 through race day. A large portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Middletown High School and Upper Lake High School cross-country teams.

Participants can register online (at RunSignUp.com) or with a mail-in form from the Milers’ Web site, www.lakecountymilers.com .

New at this year’s race will be a mini-expo, where participants can browse booths and displays from the event’s sponsors.

“Business sponsors in Lake County and beyond have always been so supportive of our event and they have come on board in a special way this year,” said Milers President Jeanine Burnett.

Joining Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District, which has been the star sponsor of the event since 2004, is Calpine Corp., which operates the Geysers geothermal plant in Lake County.

As star sponsors, each organization imparts a special message: the HVL Community Services District is promoting Water Awareness Month; Calpine, which takes an active role in its employees’ fitness, is committed to sustainability.

“Spring Has Sprung gets better every year and we have an event full of exciting activities for the whole family,” Burnett said, noting the mini-expo, race giveaway bags stuffed with extras like a BPA-free water bottle and merchant coupons, and the kids’ races. “The Milers truly want the whole family to get off the couch and get active. It is not about just kids being in sports – mom and dad need to be healthy also. Physical fitness is for a lifetime. Running and walking routinely does much to further that goal and it takes very little equipment.”

In addition to providing an opportunity to get the family out for a competitive fitness event, Spring Has Sprung features other inducements.

Everyone who enters the 5K or 10K by May 10 will receive a tech T-shirt (with this year’s logo, pictured above), and all entrants in the kids’ races will get a coupon for a free frozen yogurt from Big Chill. Runners and walkers in the 5K and 10K will vie for overall first-place awards in both men’s and women’s divisions: a one-night stay at the Twin Pine Casino Hotel in Middletown plus a $50 dining certificate at the casino’s restaurants.

Overall first-, second- and third-place winners in the 5K and 10K will receive commemorative photo awards provided by Middletown Florist and Gifts as well as gift certificates from Heart & Sole Sports of Santa Rosa.

Plus, first-, second- and third-place finishers in age and gender divisions for the 5K and 10K run will take home medals.

Additionally, all participants will be eligible for a race-day raffle, featuring prizes of gift certificates, merchandise and services from Lake County and beyond.

Besides Star Sponsors (HVL Community Services District and Calpine) and Gold Sponsor (Twin Pine Casino), Silver and Bronze Sponsors include Hardester’s Markets of Lake County, Happy Smiles Dental Practice (Middletown), St. Helena Hospital-Clearlake, Heart & Sole Sports (Santa Rosa), Clearlake Dental, Middletown Florist and Gifts, Jolly Kone (Middletown), and Lakeport Ford, along with (all from Hidden Valley Lake) Mountain High Coffee and Books, Chic Le Chef, Muscle Matrix Gym, the Big Chill Frozen Yogurt Shop, and the Corkman’s Clipper Irish Pub.

For an entry form and other instructions, call 707-987-3229.

For a small additional convenience fee, participants can register online by following the link at http://www.lakecountymilers.com/index.php/spring-has-sprung /. Or they can simply print out the registration form on the website page and mail it in.

The Milers running and walking group meets every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in two locations: the parking lot of Hardester’s Hidden Valley Lake shopping center (Hartman Road exit off Highway 29) and in Kelseyville in front of Studebaker’s Coffeehouse, 3990 Main St. The public is warmly invited.

Additionally, longer training runs are generally scheduled for Sundays. To find out more about the Lake County Milers call 707-987-3229 or visit www.lakecountymilers.com .

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Written by: Editor

Published: 25 April 2012

As the warm weather returns, humans are not the only species coming out to enjoy the sun.

Snakes, too, can be found basking in the sun’s rays.

Although most snakes in the state are harmless, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds the public to steer clear of the venomous rattlesnake and know what to do if one strikes.

All of California, from the marshlands to the mountains, is snake country.

You don’t even have to be in the great outdoors to discover a snake. They can be found in your garden and sometimes even your garage, but there is no need to panic.

Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem, including keeping the rodent population under control.

Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and usually strike only when threatened or deliberately provoked. Given room, they will retreat.

Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles.

On rare occasions, rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans.

The California Poison Control Center notes that rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year in the U.S. with one to two deaths.

Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors.

The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors, but there are precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten.

Is it a rattlesnake?

Anyone who ventures outdoors this time of year should know how to identify California’s only native venomous snake – the rattlesnake.

There are several species including the northern Pacific rattlesnake (in northern California), and the western diamondback, sidewinder, speckled rattlesnake, red diamond rattlesnake, southern Pacific rattlesnake, Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake (all found in Southern California).

A rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied, blunt-tailed snake with one or more rattles on the tail. It has a triangular-shaped head, much broader at the back than at the front, and a distinct “neck” region.

The rattlesnake also has openings between the nostrils and eyes, which is a heat-sensing pit. The eyes are hooded with elliptical pupils.

Rattlesnakes have a series of dark and light bands near the tail, just before the rattles which are different from the markings on the rest of the body.

Rattles may not always be present, as they are often lost through breakage and are not always developed on the young.

The dos and don’ts in snake country

Rattlesnakes are not confined to rural areas. They have been found in urban areas, on riverbanks and lakeside parks and at golf courses. Startled rattlesnakes may not rattle before striking defensively.

DFG recommends the following safety precautions be followed to reduce the likelihood of startling a rattlesnake:

• Wear hiking boots and loose-fitting long pants.
• Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas.
• When hiking, stick to well-used trails.
• Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day.
• Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark.
• Step ON logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood.
• Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use.
• Never grab “sticks” or “branches” while swimming in lakes and rivers. Rattlesnakes can swim.
• Be careful when stepping over doorsteps as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side.
• Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.
• Do not handle a freshly killed snake, as it can still inject venom.
• Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone.

Keeping snakes out of the yard

The best protection against rattlesnakes in the yard is a “rattlesnake proof” fence.

The fence should either be solid or with mesh no larger than one-quarter inch. It should be at least three
feet high with the bottom buried a few inches in the ground.

Slanting your snake fence outward about a 30-degree angle will help. Keep vegetation away from the fence and remove piles of boards or rocks around the home.

Use caution when removing those piles – there may already be a snake there.

Encourage and protect natural competitors like gopher snakes, kingsnakes and racers. Kingsnakes actually kill and eat rattlesnakes.

What to do in the event of a snake bite

Though uncommon, rattlesnake bites do occur, so have a plan in place for responding to any situation.

• Carry a cell phone, hike with a companion who can assist in an emergency, and make sure that family or friends know where you are going and when you will be checking in.
• Stay calm.
• Wash the bite area gently with soap and water.
• Remove watches, rings, etc, which may constrict swelling.
• Immobilize the affected area.
• Transport safely to the nearest medical facility.

For more first aid information please visit California Poison Control at www.calpoison.com .

What you should NOT do after a rattlesnake bite:

• DON'T apply a tourniquet.
• DON'T pack the bite area in ice.
• DON'T cut the wound with a knife or razor.
• DON'T use your mouth to suck out the venom.
• DON'T let the victim drink alcohol.

More information about rattlesnakes can be found at the following Web sites:

Photos and natural history:
www.ucdavis.edu/search/index.html?cx=004393900062766886059:da23-x1vm6k&q=rattlesnakes&cof=FORID:9

UC Davis Integrative Pest Management:
www.californiaherps.com/info/rattlesnakeinfo.html

Details

Written by: Dan McIntire

Published: 24 April 2012

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Saturday, April 21, was opening night at Lakeport Speedway.

The stands where filled with excited race fans, and the pits where flowing with new cars all shined up for the new race season.   

Fans were treated to an exciting night of racing featuring six divisions of race cars from the Coors Light Modified, Taco Bell Bombers, the Jammers, Legend cars, Bandoleros and the Rental Solution Mini Stocks.  

The weather was nice and the action was exciting right out of the gate with the the action in the bandolero division where young driver Colby Furia of Cloverdale set the new track record for the bandolero division, and then went on to win the first main event of the year.

The Rental Solution Mini Stocks put on a very exciting show after some contact between veteran driver James Stillman and rookie driver Eddie Barnet sent Stillman into the turn three wall with him ending up on his lid coming out of turn No. 4. After all the dust had settled Stillman was OK but the car was done for the night.

The race continued with the main event win going to Jim Underwood taking his first main event win of the year.

The action continued with the Coors Light Modifieds which saw Rookie Driver Kyle Tellstrom getting the luck of the inversion draw placing him on the pole of the race. When the green flag fell he stepped out to the lead never to look back for the rest of the race.

At the checkers it was Tellstrom, Potts, and Wright with Potts leaving the weekend with the points lead.  

The Jammers saw 11 cars able to start the main event with three cars being eliminated before the end of the first lap after a large pile up in turn No. 4.

The action was very exciting but at the end of the race saw a rookie driver Scott Strugnell take the win for the pro jammers and second year driver Taylor Sullivan take the win in the Jr. Jammer Division.   

The first Legend race of the season saw David Winchel set the fast time and go on to take the checkers over Fisher and Sturgess.  

The best excitement was held for the last race of the night, in the Taco Bell Bomber division. With a field full of both veterans and rookies, it was an action packed race with very few cautions.

The action was off to a fast pace with Mike Collins of Lucerne jumping out to the early lead, but Darrin Snider starting back in the field was slowly working his way to the front.

During the closing laps of the race Darrin Snider made a move on Mike Collins for the lead never to take a look back. At the checkers it was Snider, Collins, Denton, Thorn and Smith rounding out the top five.
The action continues this weekend at Lakeport Speedway with the front gates opening at 3:30 p.m. and the racing starting at 5 p.m.

Racing this weekend will be the Legend cars, the Bandoleros, Taco Bell Bombers, the Extreme Asphalt Outlaws and the Jammers.

The racing is just heating up for the largest season that Lakeport Speedway has ever seen.

For all event details visit www.lakeportspeedway.com and make sure to like the speedway on Facebook for the latest on event specials and some times special event give aways.

Lakeport Speedway is your community-based, not-for-profit speedway, your place for family entertainment.