LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Absentee ballots, as well as sample ballot booklets for the March primary, are on their way to voters this week, according to the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office.
Interim Registrar Diane Fridley said that the official vote-by-mail ballots – more commonly known as absentees – were delivered to the San Francisco Sorting Center by the county’s official ballot printing vendor on Monday.
Voters should begin receiving their vote-by-mail ballots in the mail within three to 10 days from the mailing date, Fridley said.
If voters need their vote-by-mail ballot sooner than the estimated delivery date, Fridley said they may visit the Registrar of Voters’ office – in Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport – and a vote-by-mail ballot will be issued to them.
Alternately, Fridley said voters may call the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372 and staff will mail them a vote-by-mail ballot.
Fridley said any registered voter who would like to be issued an official vote-by-mail ballot in lieu of voting at his or her polling place may either personally phone the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372 or complete the application for vote-by-mail voter’s ballot on the back of their sample ballot booklet and the request must be received by the Registrar of Voters Office no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to request a vote-by-mail ballot by mail.
The applications also can be filled out at the Registrar of Voters Office in Lakeport prior to the close of the polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day – Tuesday, March 3 – to be issued a vote-by-mail ballot, Fridley said.
Fridley also reported that the sample ballot/information booklets will be delivered to the San Francisco Sorting Center by the county’s sample ballot printing vendor on Friday morning.
The Upper Lake High School Academic Decathlon team at the North Bay Region Academic Decathlon at Solano Community College in Fairfield, California, on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Photo courtesy of Anna Sabalone.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Upper Lake High School’s Academic Decathlon team will once again represent Lake County as it advances to California’s Academic Decathlon competition.
The 2019-20 theme is, “In Sickness and in Health: An Exploration of Illness and Wellness.”
Students compete in three categories: varsity, 2.99 grade point average and below; scholastic, 3.0 to 3.74 GPA; and honor, 3.75 to 4.0 GPA.
The Upper Lake State Team includes: varsity, William Cromwell, Jisel Horne and Sierra Manley; scholastic, Atlantis Jones, Georgia Schmit and Annalise Smith; and honors, Deeya Kalan, Nobalie Snow and Maria Tinoco.
This year, the shape of the Lake County Academic Decathlon competition has changed significantly.
While the team over the years has drawn participation from high schools all over the county, last year it had dwindled to just Clear Lake High School and Upper Lake High, with Willits High School joining them for a combined competition that took place in Upper Lake.
For the 2019-2020 event, the only remaining Lake County High School was Upper Lake, according to a December announcement from Beth Hampson, the new Academic Decathlon coordinator for the Lake County Office of Education.
In her announcement to competition supporters, Hampson said Upper Lake was invited to participate in the North Bay Region Academic Decathlon this year, sponsored by the Solano County Office of Education.
Upper Lake High took online tests in academic subjects as part of the regional competition on Saturday, Jan. 25, before the Saturday competition at Solano Community College in Fairfield. There, students competed in speech, interview and the Super Quiz.
Anna Sabalone, Upper Lake’s coach, told Lake County News that 15 schools from six counties participated on Saturday.
The top 10 finishers are as follows:
– First: Vanden High School, 44,643 points; will represent Solano County at state. – Second: Willits High School, 40,051 points; will represent Mendocino County at state. – Third: American Canyon High School, 38,288 points; will represent Napa County at state. – Fourth: Casa Grande High School, 36,638 points; will represent Sonoma County at state. – Fifth: Rodriguez High School, Solano County, 34,480 points. – Sixth: Upper Lake High, Lake County, 32,169 points; will represent Lake County at state. – Seventh: MIT Academy, Solano County, 31,706 points. – Eighth: Jesse Bethel High School, Solano County, 30,178 points. – Ninth: Petaluma High School, Sonoma County, 28,598 points. – Tenth: Davis Senior High School, 28,008 points; will represent Yolo County at state.
Other schools in the competition were Buckingham High School, Dixon High School, Maria Carrillo High School, River City High School and Vallejo High School.
Upper Lake team members who won individual medals are listed below.
Highest scoring decathletes by category and grade level, 10 events combined:
Upper Lake’s dedicated academic decathletes will now get to work preparing for the state competition, which takes place March 26 to 29 in Sacramento.
The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College has approved $500 for travel expenses to support Upper Lake’s trip to the state competition.
For information on making a donation to help the Upper Lake team travel to the state competition, call Upper Lake High at 707-275-2338.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Miguel Angel Becerra, 38, of Coachella, California, is set to stand trial for the murder of 40-year-old Steven Stone in Clearlake, California, in June 2019. Lake County Jail photo.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A man accused of a fatal June drive-by shooting in Clearlake is scheduled to go on trial next month.
Miguel Angel Becerra, 38, of Coachella, is tentatively set for trial on March 4 after originally being scheduled for the end of January, according to District Attorney Susan Krones.
Becerra is facing a host of felony charges – among them, homicide, assault with a firearm, willful discharge of a firearm and a felon in possession of a firearm – for the shooting death of 40-year-old Steven Stone at Trombetta’s Resort on the night of June 17, as Lake County News has reported.
Clearlake Police officers who arrived at the scene found Stone on the ground with a gunshot wound. He died despite attempts to resuscitate him at the scene and Adventist Health Clear Lake hospital.
Investigators said that shots had been fired at Stone from a vehicle driven on the main driveway of the resort, with the vehicle then fleeing in an unknown direction on Old Highway 53.
Miguel Becerra and his younger brother, Christian, who have ties to Clearlake and Southern California, were identified as the suspects, police said.
The investigation found that Christian Becerra had been involved in an altercation on Jones Avenue hours before the homicide and that, at the time he was shot, Stone was with another person who had been present at that same altercation.
The Clearlake Police Department located and arrested Miguel Becerra 10 days after the murder, but investigators, working with outside agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, continued looking for Christian Becerra.
Krones said Christian Becerra has not been located since then, and a warrant remains active for his arrest.
At the time of the crime, police said Christian Becerra was believed to be driving a 2005 Legend Lime Ford Mustang, California License No. 8KCS533.
“He’s in the wind somewhere, maybe Texas, but we’re not sure,” Krones said.
If he’s apprehended, Krones said Christian Becerra would face the same charges as his brother.
Christian Becerra is a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and was 26 years old at the time of the shooting. He’s considered armed and dangerous.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Christian Becerra is wanted for a June 2019 homicide in Clearlake, California. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Police Department.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office was on the lookout for drunk drivers and those operating vehicles without driver’s licenses during a weekend checkpoint.
The CHP said the checkpoint took place from 6 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday on Highway 53 south of Jessie Street.
A checkpoint had also been held at Highway 53 and Jessie Street on Dec. 27, as Lake County News has reported.
The CHP said checkpoints target roads where there is a high frequency of intoxicated or unlicensed drivers in order to ensure safety for motorists. The checkpoints have been found to be successful and are designed to augment existing patrol operations.
CHP Officer Joel Skeen said that 440 cars were screened and 12 drivers were given sobriety tests but none were found to be under the influence.
As a result of the checkpoint, one driver was arrested for two felony warrants, two drivers were given tickets for driving while suspended, one driver was cited for driving while unlicensed and one car was towed, Skeen said.
“There was one DUI arrest that was out of a traffic collision,” Skeen said. “This was not at the checkpoint but they came across it while they were en route to set up the checkpoint.”
The CHP said the funding for the checkpoint program comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – A year and a half after the destructive Ranch fire, officials are opening up more portions of the Mendocino National Forest.
Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson has issued Forest Order No. 08-20-02 for the Ranch fire area which opens more trails and campgrounds and continues the temporary closure of selected trails and campgrounds until more fire hazards can be removed.
The new closure is effective from Jan. 29, until Dec. 31, 2020.
Most of the road system and trails in the Ranch fire area have been evaluated and hazards have been removed, officials said.
Forest Order No. 08-20-02 opens the majority of OHV trails on the Grindstone Ranger District as well as Pine Mountain Lookout and Bear Creek campground on the Upper Lake Ranger District.
However, officials said numerous hazards still exist within the general forest, along many roads and trails and in campgrounds.
“Due to the hard work of Forest Service employees and volunteers there are now many fire impacted areas that are safe for the public to enjoy and I feel it is important to reopen access to public lands where we can,” Supervisor Carlson said. “We are continuing to remove hazards such as dead standing trees, exposed rebar in trail treads, and stump holes on trails in order to reopen the remaining trails and campgrounds.”
Carlson added, “Although the end date for Order 08-20-02 is Dec. 31, 2020, we are working hard to reasonably reduce risks to the public and reopen areas as soon as possible.”
Forest Order 08-20-02, including the order, map and list of closed trails and facilities is posted on the forest website.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Kelseyville man was seriously injured last week when he was involved in a three-vehicle crash while riding a motorcycle.
Paul F. Richardson, 65, suffered major injuries in the wreck, which occurred on Thursday afternoon on Merritt Road near Kelseyville, according to a Monday report.
The CHP said that at 4 p.m. that day, a white 1991 Honda Accord, driven by 31-year-old William G. Wymer of Kelseyville, was stopped going eastbound on Merritt Road, east of Highway 29, with the left turn signal activated, waiting to make a left turn into a private driveway.
A red 2009 Ford Explorer driven by Daniel J. Crouch, 34, of Lakeport, approached traveling eastbound, failed to slow for Wymer’s car ahead of him and a collision occurred, the CHP.
Richardson, who was riding a 2005 Harley Davidson Dyna Low-Rider, was traveling behind Crouch’s Ford. The CHP said Richardson was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear of the Ford.
Richardson was ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest on the shoulder of Merritt Road. The CHP said Richardson was wearing a Department of Transportation-approved helmet at the time of the collision.
The CHP said Richardson was transported by an air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. He’s expected to recover, with his injuries including broken bones.
Crouch and Wymer were both wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. The CHP said Crouch had minor injuries and Wymer was uninjured.
The CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected of having been factors in this collision.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will get an informational report on regulatory options for stabilizing rents at the city’s mobile home parks.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On Tuesday, City Attorney David Ruderman will present the council with a report on options for regulating the rental market in mobile home communities within the city.
The planned discussion on the item resulted from numerous residents of the Clearlake Marina Mobile Home Park approaching the council at its Jan. 21 meeting to complain that their rents are being raised dramatically by a new park owner.
The park is for those aged 55 and above. Residents told the council that many park residents are disabled; the park also is reportedly home to numerous veterans.
The rent increase is presenting a problem for those residents who are on fixed incomes. The park residents also own their homes and said they can’t easily leave or move their homes.
Park residents asked the city to consider implementing a rent stabilization act like the one recently put in place by the city of Ukiah.
Ruderman’s report to the council explains that there are four potential mechanisms for regulating mobile home rents in the city.
They include rent registration, which requires park owners to notify the city of rent increases and provide specific information; rent mediation, which allows park residents to petition for mediation of proposed rent increases; rent stabilization, which limits annual rent increases to a small, set price, such as an inflation adjustment; and rent control, which prohibits rent price increases, with limited exceptions.
Ruderman’s report said this is an informational item only, with no action expected to be taken on Tuesday night.
Also on Tuesday, the council will hold a public hearing and receive public comment regarding the Community Development Block Grant program and possible activities and projects to be considered for funding under the upcoming Notice of Funding Availability process. The council is then expected to direct staff to proceed with the preparation of a CDBG grant application.
In council business, Public Works Director Doug Grider will ask for the council to approve City Manager Margaret Silveira signing purchase orders with Magic Interiors and Caliber Carpets for the City Hall Council chambers carpet and installation. The improvements are new floor coverings in the council chambers for the total amount of $10,875.
The council also will present a proclamation affirming the city’s support of the ongoing State of Our Children effort in the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Jan. 7; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; and approval of the Application 2020-002, with staff recommendations, for the Shakespeare at the Lake event, to be held July 25-26, 2020.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will get a report on the benefit zones established last year in several communities in the Kelseyville area to deal with vegetation management as well as a separate county program adopted to reduce hazardous vegetation.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 9:30 a.m., the board will receive an update from Community Development staff regarding the benefit zones in the Clearlake Riviera, Riviera West, Buckingham and the Riviera Heights.
At 9:10 a.m., the board also will get a report on the implementation of the hazardous vegetation program the county instituted last year.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve letter finalizing response to the questions of the Northshore Fire Protection District.
5.2: Approve the updated bylaws of the Middletown Area Town Hall.
5.3: Adopt proclamation designating the month of February 2020 Black History Month and celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday.
5.4: Approve change to board’s annual meeting calendar for 2020.
5.5: Approve late travel claim for Crisis Supervisor Melissa Mathis in the amount of $588 and authorize the auditor-controller to process payment.
5.6: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for the Lake County Wrap Program, Foster Care Program and Intensive Services Foster Care Program for specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2019-20 to allow payment of services rendered in fiscal year 2018-19.
5.7: (a) Approve budget transfer and new capital asset in the amount of $7,500 for the purchase of a vote-by-mail heavy-duty envelope opener; and (b) approve the purchase of a vote-by-mail heavy-duty envelope opener and authorize the department head to sign.
5.8: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, (a) waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.2, based on the determination that competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county; and (b) authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $78,000 to Collier Capital Machine Corp. for an overhaul on the DKM 15 Stage Pump.
5.9: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, approve additional freight and tax costs and authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $150,000 to R.F. MacDonald for a New Bowl Assembly for Goulds Pump.
5.10: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District, adopt resolution for the revised grant application and funding agreement resolution for the state’s Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program.
5.11: Adopt proclamation commending Water Resources Technician Mark Miller for his service to the county of Lake.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation designating the month of February 2020 Black History Month and Celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday; and (b) presentation of proclamation commending Water Resources Technician Mark Miller for his service to the county of Lake.
6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of report on Chapter 13, hazardous vegetation 2019 overview and recommendations.
6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of update from Community Development staff as it relates to the benefit zones in the Clearlake Riviera, Riviera West, Buckingham and Riviera Heights.
6.5, 10:30 a.m.: Continued from Jan. 14, public hearing, consideration of Appeal AB 19-02 Dawson/Guerra.
6.6, 11 a.m.: Consideration of memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and San Francisco VA Health Care System for meeting space usage at Bevins Court Apartments in Lakeport.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of the following appointments: Lower Lake Cemetery Board.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; County Negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.2: Public employee evaluations: Community Development Director.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(1) – County of Lake, et al v. PG&E, et al.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 5456.9(d)(4) – One potential case.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has two cats ready for adoption this week, both handsome fellows waiting for their forever families.
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
“Milo” is a male domestic short hair cat in cat room kennel No. 15, ID No. 13475. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Milo’
“Milo” is a male domestic short hair cat with a seal point and cream-colored coat and blue eyes.
Also, he looks awesome in a bow tie.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 15, ID No. 13475.
“Duster” is a young male domestic short hair-Russian Blue mix in cat room kennel No. 80, ID No. 13491. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Duster’
“Duster” is a young male domestic short hair-Russian Blue mix with gold eyes.
He’s quite handsome in a tie.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 80, ID No. 13491.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Employees disinfect ticket gates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at a subway station in Seoul, South Korea, Jan. 28, 2020. AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon
Scientists at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia, announced Jan. 29 that they were able to grow the Wuhan coronavirus from a patient sample in the laboratory. This was the first time the virus had been grown in a lab outside China.
This is good news, since it will allow researchers to quickly develop new diagnostic tests for the virus, which will be essential if scientists want to be able to track its spread across China and the rest of the globe. There is so much we scientists still do not understand about this fast-moving pathogen.
A lab in Melbourne, Australia, grows coronavirus in a lab, which could help expedite the development of a vaccine.
I am a veterinary researcher, and I study how respiratory viruses such as influenza cause lung disease in animals and humans. I see this development as an encouraging sign.
A market with a global reach
The virus appears to have originated at an animal and seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province toward the end of 2019.
It is important to note that here have been no deaths yet outside of mainland China, and the majority of most cases seem to be confined to the area around Hubei. This may be thanks to the prompt, if perhaps slightly draconian, quarantine measures instituted by the Chinese government. At the same time, some critics are saying that Chinese officials did not act quickly enough, allowing 5 million people to leave the city before it announced the seriousness of the virus.
Still, all of us, scientists and non-scientists, should try to maintain some perspective here. The city of Wuhan alone has a population of more than 11 million. In that light, perhaps the roughly 7,000 confirmed cases is not really so many after all? The problem is that right now, the public, scientists and health officials don’t know if those 7,000 cases could be just the beginning of a major outbreak.
It is possible that some, or even many, of those who contract the virus only experience mild disease and are therefore not tested for infection. Moreover, this coronavirus appears to be less deadly than the SARS coronavirus of the early 2000s. That said, the 7,000-plus cases of the new coronavirus in China already exceeds the 5,327 cases of SARS.
At the moment, confirming infection requires time-consuming polymerase chain reaction-based tests for viral genes that can only be performed in a few laboratories. The technique behind this test allows researchers in the lab to make millions of copies of a particular section of DNA, but it’s not quick. The technology developed in Australia will help develop new and more rapid antibody-based diagnostic tests for infection that can be used in the clinic, not the lab. This will allow doctors to identify infected patients much faster and deploy appropriate infection control measures as needed.
This would allow scientists to get a far clearer picture of how readily this virus is transmitted from person to person, how many of those infected get very sick, and if there are any groups that are particularly prone to severe and potentially lethal disease. This information is essential if we wish to respond to the outbreak rationally.
The ability to grow the Wuhan coronavirus in the laboratory will also make it easier to develop a vaccine. Developing and manufacturing a vaccine requires large amounts of viral proteins that can serve as vaccine antigens that will induce an immune response in people. This can realistically only be done by growing large amounts of the virus in cells in a laboratory or vaccine manufacturing facility. Vaccines against several coronaviruses already exist, including SARS and MERS and such vaccines tend to elicit good immunity. Again, that is good news.
But vaccine development, manufacture and testing takes time. Theoretically, the first doses of a new vaccine might be available by late spring, although that would be a best-case scenario. But even then, making enough vaccine doses could take a year. Hence, it is unrealistic to think that vaccination will allow us to control disease in the short term.
So what can one do to stay safe? First, don’t panic. There is as yet no reason to believe that the Wuhan coronavirus will have a devastating impact upon humanity. Second, wash your hands frequently because doing so removes virus from your hands. Because people touch their hands with their faces, virus that remains on hands can then enter the body through the mouth or nose. Also, a person with virus on their hands can spread it to other people through touching someone and by spreading it onto surfaces such as door knobs. Third, if you get sick, stay home and avoid spreading whatever virus you have to others. And finally, get your flu shot – right now. Influenza is a far bigger threat to the health of the average American than this faraway virus.
This unique display of truffles is a creation of Lake County, California, truffle maker Linda Moran of Sweet Things. Orders or information may be obtained by calling 707-530-5203. Photo by Linda Moran. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It’s February, when our hearts turn to love. Or – just maybe – chocolate.
Since this is a culinary column, I’ll write about the latter, but really, sometimes the two are intertwined.
In less than two weeks, vast quantities of the confection will be distributed to loved ones in honor of Valentine’s Day, so let’s learn a bit more about this rich treat.
Though it wasn’t until 1847 that it was made into a solid form, chocolate has been used as a drink for thousands of years, perhaps dating as far back as 1400 B.C.
The Mayans and Aztecs used the beans to produce a fermented, frothy, bitter drink that was used in religious ceremonies, often flavored with chili peppers.
The consumption of chocolate may subtly improve cognitive performance. Experiments with chocolate-fed mice suggest that flavanol-rich cocoa stimulates neurovascular activity, enhancing memory and alertness.
Because chocolate stimulates endorphin production, giving a feeling of pleasure, its effects are often compared to being in love. To many, even the word chocolate evokes a sense of well-being.
As well, chocolate contains serotonin, an antidepressant, and theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants.
It would seem chocolate can both relax and energize those who consume it.
Chocolate comes from a pineapple-sized, melon-like fruit that grows in the tropics on the cacao tree. These fruits are referred to as pods, and each one holds about 40 cacao (also known as cocoa) beans. The simple brown seeds that reside within the pods, cocoon-like, in sweet, sticky white pulp contain all the ingredients needed to make one of our most beloved food products, chocolate.
After harvesting the pods and removing the beans, the beans are left in piles to ferment and then dry before going to the factory. It’s the fermentation process that produces the rich cocoa flavor in the beans.
At the factory, the beans are roasted (either quick and hot or low and slow, depending on the flavor desired) and then hulled to remove the nib inside. The nib is milled to make chocolate liquor, a rich (non-alcoholic) paste that is the base for any chocolate product.
Some of the chocolate liquor is pressed to extract cocoa butter, the ingredient that makes chocolate taste so rich. With a melting point of about 97 degrees, it’s what causes chocolate to melt on our tongue.
Finally, cocoa powder is ground from what’s left after extracting the cocoa butter.
Then the love happens.
Simple ingredients – chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sugar and a minor ingredient or two, such as vanilla – go through a series of processes (such as conching, which is extensive kneading to develop flavor, and tempering, which is heating and cooling to make chocolate glossy, break with a snap, and melt in our mouths) and become the sweet treat that nearly all of us love.
Because of the health benefits associated with chocolate – particularly dark chocolate – many chocolate manufacturers list the percentage of chocolate liquor (typically noted as cacao) on their dark chocolate products. While more chocolate liquor means greater health benefits, it also means less sugar, so as the percentage increases, the sweetness of the chocolate decreases.
Bittersweet and semisweet chocolate (of which there is no official difference) must contain at least 35 percent chocolate liquor.
If you’re cooking with bitter- or semisweet chocolate, staying below 60 percent chocolate liquor is a good idea, unless your recipe calls for a chocolate with a higher percentage, as the dish may turn out more bitter than intended.
Couverture is a term used for chocolates that are extra rich in cocoa butter, such as the brands used by pastry chefs and sold in specialty stores.
White chocolate is so named because it contains cocoa butter but no chocolate liquor. Be cautious if you want the real stuff – there are products such as “white baking chips” that don’t contain a drop of cocoa butter and you can taste the difference!
Cocoa nibs are sold in natural food or specialty stores and they make for a crunchy little treat, full of intense chocolate flavor. (They’re unsweetened, so be prepared!) They can be tossed in salads, added to breads, or even mixed with asparagus and prosciutto for a delicious and interesting side dish.
As with coffee and wine, the area in which cacao beans are harvested, as well as the type of tree on which they’re grown, contribute greatly to their flavor profile. In other words, there’s a terroir associated with chocolate.
Cacao is harvested in Africa, Mexico, Central America, Asia, and in the Caribbean, and areas within each locale offer their own differences in flavor.
For example, beans grown in Madagascar are said to have citrus overtones, in Panama roasted nut flavors, in Trinidad cinnamon spiciness, and in Jamaica subtle notes of pineapple.
Chocolate can be paired with so many things – from fruits such as raspberries or oranges to chicken when used in a Mexican mole sauce – that it’s really quite a versatile food.
As far as pairings go, chocolate and wine are a comforting classic. I reached out to local wineries to find out which Lake County wines are recommended as sipping companions for chocolate. Many responded, and the result is a list of wines, along with comments from winery staff, which can be found below.
So where do I get my chocolate fix?
When I get a hankering for chocolate, I often head over to the Middletown Creamery if they’ve got their house-made chocolate sorbet on hand. With cinnamon and a hint of heat, it’s reminiscent of Mexican hot chocolate. (No wonder I love it so!)
For something richer and a bit more decadent, Hidden Valley Lake-based truffle maker Linda Moran never fails to disappoint. She recently created a dark chocolate truffle flavored with star anise, which just goes to show that chocolate pairing possibilities are copious!
As luck would have it, students in the Woodland Community College Advanced Pastry Class in Clearlake made chocolate babka on Monday, and Chef Instructor AnnMarie Pleskaczewski has generously agreed to share the recipe they used.
In her opinion, “this bread would be an amazing part of a Valentine’s Day breakfast as French toast with a dollop of crème fraiche, a drizzle of honey, and some sliced strawberries.”
The babka recipe is below, as well as two chocolate recipes of my own, Chocolate Lavender Truffles (a worthy Valentine’s Day gift) and Spiced Mayan Coffee, an interesting pick-me-up on a dreary winter morning.
Bon appétit! And happy Valentine’s Day, just a little bit early.
This chocolate babka was made by the Advanced Pastry Class at Woodland Community College in Clearlake, California. Chef Instructor AnnMarie Pleskaczweski has shared the recipe for this column. Photo by AnnMarie Pleskaczewski.
Chocolate Babka
Babka dough ingredients (Makes 2 9x5-inch loaves) 6⅓ cups (792 grams) all-purpose flour ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar 1 tablespoon (9 grams) active dry yeast 1 tablespoon orange zest 4 large eggs ¾ cup warm whole milk (105°F to 110°F) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened 1 tablespoon (9 grams) kosher salt
Egg Wash:
1 large egg 1 tablespoon water Simple Syrup: ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar ½ cup water
Instructions
1. For dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and zest. With mixer on low speed, add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat until mixture comes together, 2 to 3 minutes. (If the mixture remains too dry and crumbly, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.)
2. With mixer on medium speed, add butter, 1 tablespoon (14 grams) at a time, letting each piece incorporate before adding the next. Add salt, beating just until combined, about 3 minutes. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until a smooth and elastic dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. (If dough does not pull away from the bowl, add more flour, 1 tablespoon [8 grams] at a time.)
3. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F) until doubled in size, 1½ to 2½ hours. After dough has risen, refrigerate for 30 minutes. Alternatively, the dough can be made one day in advance and the entire rise may take place in the refrigerator overnight.
4. For egg wash: In a small bowl, lightly beat together egg and water.
5. Spray 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans with cooking spray, and line with parchment paper.
6. Divide dough in half. On a heavily floured surface, roll half of dough into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Brush edges of dough with egg wash. Spread with half of chocolate filling (recipe below), leaving a 1-inch border on long sides of dough. Starting at one short side, roll up dough, jelly-roll style, and press edge to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut roll in half lengthwise. Carefully twist dough pieces around each other, and place in prepared pan, cut sides up. Repeat procedure with remaining half of dough. Place prepared pans on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F) until doubled in size, 1 to 1½ hours.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 30 minutes. Cover with foil, and bake until a thermometer in center registers 190°F, about 35 minutes more.
8. For simple syrup: In a small saucepan, bring sugar and ½ cup water to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Pour simple syrup over warm loaves while still in pans. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Chocolate filling (Makes enough for 2 loaves)
Ingredients
1 cup (170 grams) semisweet chocolate morsels
¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter
¾ cup (90 grams) confectioners’ sugar
⅓ cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon (3 grams) kosher salt
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat, and whisk in confectioners’ sugar, cocoa, and salt. Let cool to room temperature before using.
Recipe courtesy of Chef Instructor AnnMarie Pleskaczewski and the Woodland College Advanced Pastry Class.
Chocolate Lavender Truffles
This recipe is from one of my holiday culinary classes where lavender was featured. Though lavender season is in early summer, culinary lavender may be purchased at spice stores, specialty food markets, and even online.
Note: The same procedure can be used to infuse other flavors into the chocolate, such as cinnamon, orange or vanilla. In those cases, cinnamon sticks, strips of orange zest, or a couple vanilla pods are substituted for the lavender.
Ingredients
1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon dried lavender florets 12 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate 1 cup unsweetened cocoa
Procedure
Grate or roughly chop chocolate and put in heat proof bowl.
Bring cream and lavender to a simmer and simmer for one minute; strain.
Add hot lavender-infused cream to chocolate and stir to melt. Mix well.
Chill at least 3 hours. (You may spread on parchment paper on a baking sheet.)
Roll into 1-inch balls and then roll in cocoa.
This recipe makes about 25 truffles, which should be refrigerated until ready to be served.
Recipe by Esther Oertel
Spiced Mayan Coffee
This recipe is from a culinary class I taught on chocolate. It includes three of my favorite pairings with chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, and rich cream, and harkens back to the way it was enjoyed centuries ago. Enjoy!
Ingredients
For every two servings, you will need:
2 tsp unsweetened cocoa 4 tsp sugar (1 tbsp plus 1 tsp) ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (less cayenne for less heat) 1/8 tsp salt (1 pinch) 1 cup strong hot coffee 1 cup hot milk ½ tsp vanilla 4 tbsp (approximately) freshly whipped cream
Procedure
Place dry ingredients (through salt) in large Pyrex measuring cup and stir to combine.
Add hot coffee, then hot milk, stirring to combine. (Or, for froth, whir hot milk & dry ingredients in a blender before adding coffee.)
Pour into individual coffee cups and top with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
Recipe by Esther Oertel
Wine and chocolate pairing
So you want to pair Lake County wines with chocolate? Here’s a list.
Boatique Winery – Their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is recommended as a great pair for chocolate.
Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery – The 2017 Rosé, the 2015 Reserve Cabernet, and the 2015 Petite Sirah are all recommended as stellar pairings for chocolate.
Fults Family Vineyards – They recommend their Old Vine Zinfandel Dessert Wine called GBR (which stands for Go, Big Red!).
Gregory Graham Wines – Gregory Graham notes that their Zinfandel is well known for pairing well with chocolate. He says it’s very jammy (meaning there’s some residual sugar) and almost port-like.
Laujor Estate Winery – They recommend their 2017 Angelina’s Blend Cabernet. It has notes of raspberry and soft cocoa, which make it a great pairing for chocolate. Also recommended is their 2018 Syrah Noir, a dessert wine noted as “big, bold and jammy.”
Mt. Konocti Winery – The Tempranillo from this winery is recommended as a great pairing for chocolate.
Olof Cellars – Their Barbera or Malbera is recommended for chocolate pairing, as well as their signature Nebiollo-Barbera blend. Cindi Olof creates unique food and wine pairings of her own, including chocolate s’mores using marshmallows made with their wine.
R Vineyards – Vineyard owner Monica Rosenthal recommends their Old Wine Zinfandel from vines planted in 1937. Its jamminess and notes of blackberry, chocolate, and cinnamon make it a great pairing for chocolate.
Shannon Ridge Family of Wines - Molly Wingo, winemaker, says, “I really like our High Elevation Petite Sirah, which has a mocha note that goes well with both milk and dark chocolate. The other is our Vigilance Cabernet Sauvignon, which has a nice spiciness that pairs well with any chocolate. I especially like it with milk chocolate. As for white chocolate, I would pair it with our High Valley Sauvignon Blanc for contrast, or the High Valley Rose’ to bring out some of the strawberry notes.”
Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyard & Winery – Six Sigma’s 2015 Dessert Wine, a port-like wine made from Tempranillo grapes, is recommended as a pairing for chocolate. Though currently sold out, it will reappear in the future, so keep your eyes peeled! The brandy used in this fortified wine is distilled from their own wines.
Steele Wines – Their Catfish Zinfandel, made from grapes grown on vines that are 119 years old, is recommended as the best pairing for chocolate, though I was told that many of their wines may be paired with a chocolate that best matches the varietal.
Esther Oertel is a writer and passionate home cook from a family of chefs. She grew up in a restaurant, where she began creating recipes from a young age. She’s taught culinary classes in a variety of venues in Lake County and previously wrote “The Veggie Girl” column for Lake County News. Most recently she’s taught culinary classes at Sur La Table in Santa Rosa, Calif. She lives in Middletown, Calif.
Middletown Creamery co-owner Jan Putney holds the flavorful chocolate sorbet she has made. Photo by Esther Oertel.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has adult dogs and pups waiting to be adopted this week.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Chihuahua, Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever, Norfolk Terrier, pit bull, Rhodesian Ridgeback, shepherd and terrier.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
“Blossom” is a female pit bull terrier in kennel No. 3, ID No. 11864. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Blossom’
“Blossom” is a female pit bull terrier with a short blue coat and brown eyes.
She has been spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 3, ID No. 11864.
This male Norfolk Terrier is in kennel No. 4, ID No. 13486. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Norfolk Terrier
This male Norfolk Terrier has a long tan and brown coat with brown eyes.
He is in kennel No. 4, ID No. 13486.
This female Labrador Retriever is in kennel No. 5, ID No. 13487. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female Labrador Retriever
This female Labrador Retriever has a short chocolate coat and brown eyes.
She is in kennel No. 5, ID No. 13487.
This male pit bull terrier puppy is in kennel No. 19a, ID No. 13489. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male pit bull terrier puppy
This male pit bull terrier puppy has a short black and tan coat and brown eyes.
He is in kennel No. 19a, ID No. 13489.
This female Chihuahua puppy is in kennel No. 21, ID No. 13381. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female Chihuahua puppy
This female Chihuahua puppy has a short tan coat and brown eyes.
She is in kennel No. 21, ID No. 13381.
This male Doberman Pinscher is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 13459. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Doberman Pinscher
This male Doberman Pinscher has a short red and brown coat.
He is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 13459.
This male Labrador Retriever is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 13465. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male Labrador Retriever
This male Labrador Retriever has a short chocolate coat.
He is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 13465.
“Oso” is a male shepherd mix in kennel No. 27, ID No. 3173. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Oso’
“Oso” is a male shepherd mix with a long black and tan coat.
He has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 27, ID No. 3173.
“Goofy” is a male Rhodesian Ridgeback in kennel No. 33, ID No. 13210. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Goofy’
“Goofy” is a young male Rhodesian Ridgeback with a short tan and black coat.
Shelter staff said this boy is great with other dogs, although he is high energy and would benefit from obedience training. He would love to go jogging every day, he is very food motivated and willing to learn new things.
Goofy has been at the shelter since Nov. 5. He was originally taken from someone in Upper Lake and found on the highway in Clearlake. If anyone has any information on his owner please contact the shelter.
He’s in kennel No. 33, ID No. 13210.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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