CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is seeking applications from citizens of the city of Clearlake to fill a vacant seat on the Zoning Code Update Committee.

The Zoning Code Update Committee is tasked to work with staff in crafting a new zoning ordinance and design review manual based on the city’s updated general plan.

The committee will meet as needed, but normally not more than once a month, for a few hours at a time to review and discuss needed updates.

Eventually, the committee will make a formal recommendation to the Clearlake Planning Commission with an updated ordinance.

If you have participated in previous development projects or just have ideas or recommendations on improving our community, you are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be residents of the city of Clearlake.

Applications can be found on the city’s Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or by contacting Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at 707-994-8201, Extension 106, or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 22.

Millions of Californians will practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” when the ground shakes during the Great California ShakeOut on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 10:17 a.m.

This year’s drill will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake that shook Northern California on Oct. 17, 1989.

Also known as the “World Series earthquake,” the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake was felt extensively in Santa Cruz, Monterey and the San Francisco Bay Area.

It was responsible for 63 deaths, 3,757 injuries, and more than $5.9 billion in property damage.

Strong ground shaking, liquefaction, and landslides caused significant structural damage, and approximately 16,000 housing units – almost 13,000 in the nine-county San Francisco Bay region alone – were uninhabitable after the earthquake.

“The Loma Prieta earthquake was a tragedy that caused immense suffering for thousands of California residents," said California Earthquake Authority CEO Glenn Pomeroy. “Anniversaries for big earthquakes often serve as painful reminders of why we need to know how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On when the ground shakes, and know how to financially recover from damage that may be expensive to repair.”

Most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault. In 2015, scientists reported there was a greater than 99 percent chance of one or more magnitude 6.7 earthquakes striking California between 2014 and 2043.

Magnitude 6.4 and 7.1 earthquakes struck near the Mojave Desert town of Ridgecrest in July 2019, and a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near Napa in 2014.

Now more Californians are paying closer attention to their risk for earthquakes, and their potential costs to repair shake damage not covered under a standard homeowner policy. CEA now offers a wide range of coverage options, and has more than 1 million policyholders.

“More than 10 million Californians participated in the Great California ShakeOut last year,” Pomeroy said. “The drill is easy to do. It’s also easy to have a quick conversation with your insurance agent about how to get an earthquake policy. A little preparation can make a big difference if California’s next big earthquake strikes closer to home.”

More information from CEA and other organizations about how to survive and recover from damaging earthquakes that scientists say are possible in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego areas can be found at https://www.eqheadquarters.com/ .

Details about the Great California ShakeOut and other ways to prepare for earthquakes can be found here.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An early Saturday morning crash in the Cobb area injured seven people and resulted in two arrests, one for driving under the influence.

Jose A. Velazquez, 21, of Kelseyville, the driver of one of the two vehicles involved, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

His passenger, Jorge A. Lozano, 21, also of Kelseyville, was arrested at the scene for obstructing a peace officer's investigation, providing false information to a peace officer and disorderly conduct, the CHP said.

At 1:45 a.m. Saturday, Velazquez was driving his silver 2003 Acura MDX, northbound on Highway 29, north of Highway 175 at approximately 50 miles per hour, while Yessica Patino, 23, of Clearlake was driving a gray 2017 Acura ILX southbound at approximately 55 miles per hour, the CHP said.

Due to Velazquez's level of intoxication, the CHP said Velazquez caused his Acura to cross the solid double yellow lines, into the southbound lane, and directly into the path of Patino's Acura.

The CHP said the front left of each vehicle collided in the southbound lane and Velazquez's Acura continued northbound and rolled over, coming to rest on its wheels on the east shoulder, facing a northerly direction.

Patino's Acura continued southbound, spinning in a counter clockwise direction, coming to rest on its wheels facing a northwesterly direction, the CHP said.

The CHP said Patino became trapped within the driver's seat of the vehicle and had to be extricated by South Lake County Fire and Cal Fire personnel, according to the CHP.

Patino, who the CHP said had minor injuries, and her passenger, 35-year-old Ismael Rodrigez of Clearlake, who had major injuries, were transported via air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

The CHP said that another of Patino’s passengers, Alexander Alcazar, 16, of Clearlake was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital with major injuries.

Patino’s other passengers, Edgar Perez Vazquez, 27, and Jose Armando, 22, both of Clearlake, had minor injuries, the CHP report said.

The CHP determined alcohol to be a factor in this collision and Velazquez was placed under arrest at the scene, along with Lozano. Both had minor injuries.

Both men were subsequently booked at the Lake County Jail, the CHP said. Jail records indicated that both have since posted bail and been released.

Based on the investigation, the CHP said Lozano, Patino and Rodriguez were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the wreck.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday agreed to extend negotiations with a firm interested in purchasing and developing the city’s airport property.

The council authorized City Manager Alan Flora to extend the letter of intent with Village Investment Partners LP for the 27-acre former Pearce Field airport property on Highway 53, next to the former waterpark.

On April 11, the council had initially authorized the letter of intent for an exclusive negotiating agreement for six months, as Lake County News has reported.

Flora said the city received a request from the firm on Oct. 3 to extend it for another six months. The original agreement ended on Oct. 11.

Barry Johnson, president of Summit Development and a partner with Village Investment Partners, said the project originally was approved in 2008 and included a home improvement center.

He said that at the time Summit Development was in contract with Safeway while Village Investment Partners was in contract with Walgreens. Fred Katz of Sacramento was a codeveloper at that point, but he is no longer involved.

“We have a good project. It's been preliminarily designed,” said Johnson, explaining that they have gone back and presented it to retailers who previously were interested.

The answers from potential tenants have been slow but they weren't negative, with every major retailer having its own agenda. “In this market, there are a lot of opportunities that have opened up to them,” and the reality is, Clearlake isn’t at the top of their list, Johnson said.

As an example of the challenges in working with retailers, he said he worked on a shopping center in Los Banos, and it took two years to get on Costco’s list.

With the Clearlake project, “We're not quite there yet,” so they are asking for another 180 days, which Johnson said they intended to use aggressively.

The firm received a demographics report – which Flora later explained was provided by the city – that shows that the area generates more than $1 billion in revenue, but that more than $600 million leaves the market and goes to Ukiah, Woodland, Santa Rosa and other markets. “It encompasses all areas of retail.”

That provides a big opportunity to potential retailers. Johnson said the information is going to help them market the project.

Johnson said he and partner Dave Hughes initially had brought Walmart into the county decades ago.

Another partner, John Glikbarg, is making site improvements to a property he owns at the Highway 53 and Dam Road intersection across from the MacDonald’s and Carl’s Jr., the latter another of Johnson’s projects. Johnson encouraged the city to make any possible improvements to the area of 18th Avenue to draw retailers.

“At this point we believe that we have made progress,” said Johnson.

During the discussion, Johnson said his firm has met with Mayor Russ Cremer and Flora to go more in-depth over the process, and he suggested they meet on a more regular basis. During those meetings, he said they disclosed to the city leadership letters with retailers they are targeting.

Mayor Joyce Overton pressed Johnson on what types of retailers they are targeting. Johnson referred back to Lowe's, which previously were in contract until a Sierra Club lawsuit stopped the project.

Johnson said they are trying to bring back and reengage retailers who are familiar with the site. “That's where our discussions are now.”

In response to other questions about their work, Johnson said they attend retail conventions in order to get face time with retailers. “We're trying to be the squeaky wheel,” and stay in front of them.

Flora noted during the discussion that the city had a retail study completed – it was rushed through because of the letter of intent timeline – and supplied the firm with the information to assist its efforts.

“It is encouraging to hear that they feel like it is going to make them more competitive, out there trying to attract retailers with that information,” Florae said.

“We feel good about where they're going,” he said, adding, “I think we all want to see something developed there as soon as possible.”

After a discussion about options – including a suggestion from Flora that they could add another section to the letter to allow for another developer with definite interest, should one come forward – the council ultimately chose to maintain the current wording

Johnson, whose projects also include the Burns Valley Center and the Department of Motor Vehicles building in Lakeport, said, “We have a vested interest in seeing this succeed.”

Councilman Dirk Slooten asked if, because of the Sierra Club suit, a full environmental review will be necessary for the project. The settlement sets in place requirements they can comply with, Johnson said.

Hughes told the council that he’s had an inquiry for Glikbarg’s property from a developer who wants to do a three- to four-story hotel. He said there is a lot of positive energy around the area.

Following a brief break, the council reconvened and reached consensus to direct Flora to extend the letter of intent with Village Investment Partners, with no changes, for six months.

“We all very much look forward to this thing coming to fruition,” said Councilman Phil Harris. He added, “We have faith in you.”

“That doesn't mean we will let up on you,” said Cremer.

In other business on Thursday, the council held a public hearing and adopted the update to the city’s general plan housing element, and considered projects within the county's cannabis exclusion areas, with a majority of the council asking staff to bring back proposed guidelines.

Also on Thursday, the council presented proclamations designating proclamations designating October as both Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month; and approved a resolution reaffirming the Traffic Safe Committee and approved Mayor Russ Cremer's committee appointments.

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. – The National Weather Service is predicting chances of showers midweek in Lake County thanks to a low pressure system headed toward the region.

This week’s forecast predicts a 20-percent chance of rain on Wednesday night across the county.

That chance of rain is due to a strong low pressure system approaching the West Coast mid-week, the National Weather Service said.

The forecast also says high pressure is expected to build over Northern California early next week, allowing temperatures to increase to near or slightly above normal.

Daytime temperatures this week are expected to be in the low 70s, dropping into the 60s for several days and rising into the low 70s again early next week.

Nighttime temperatures will be in the low to mid 40s through the week, rising into the low 50s next week, based on the forecast.

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.

In the wake of utility-directed power shutoffs that impacted nearly two million Californians in 24 counties last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday demanded that Pacific Gas and Electric be held accountable.

Last week, during the two-day shutoff, which began on Wednesday, the governor had criticized the utility for the shutoff, as Lake County News has reported.

PG&E President and CEO Bill Johnson has insisted that the shutoff was necessary due to a wind event that occurred over much of Northern and Central California.

This week, the governor is urging PG&E to provide affected customers an automatic credit or rebate of $100 per residential customer and $250 per small business as some compensation for their hardships.

Gov. Newsom also sent a letter to California Public Utilities Commission President Marybel Batjer confirming that the commission will be conducting a comprehensive inquiry and review of PG&E’s planning, implementation and decision-making process failures.

“Californians should not pay the price for decades of PG&E’s greed and neglect,” said Gov. Newsom. “PG&E’s mismanagement of the power shutoffs experienced last week was unacceptable. We will continue to hold PG&E accountable to make radical changes – prioritizing the safety of Californians and modernizing its equipment.”

In July, the Governor signed AB 1054, which established new requirements for PG&E to improve safety and address decades of mismanagement.

In his letter to President Batjer, the governor asked the CPUC to increase its scrutiny of PG&E’s progress on long overdue actions required under AB 1054 to make its infrastructure resilient to wildfires to avoid public safety power shutoff events.

Read the full letters to CPUC President Batjer and to PG&E CEO Bill Johnson below.

10.14.19-CPUC-Letter by LakeCoNews on Scribd

10.14.19-PGE-letter by LakeCoNews on Scribd

The California Department of Public Health has released final data on sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, in California in 2018.

According to the data, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia cases are continuing to increase throughout California and are at the highest levels in 30 years.

In Lake County, overall cases of all STDs have climbed precipitously from 2014 to 2018, according to the new report.

The data shows the following:

– Chlamydia: 175 cases in 2014 to 331 cases in 2018, an 89-percent increase; ranked No. 24 statewide for chlamydia incidence rate.

– Gonorrhea: 68 cases in 2014, peaking at 203 cases in 2016. The 2018 case number is 171, for a 151-percent increase. Statewide rank is No. 5.

– Primary and secondary syphilis: three cases in 2016 to six cases in 2018, a 100-percent increase. Statewide rank is No. 40.

– Primary and secondary syphilis for females ages 15 to 44: No cases reported for 2014 to 2016; number of cases for 2017 and 2018 was suppressed as per agency Data De-Identification Guidelines. No ranking given.

– Total early syphilis: Three cases in 2014 to 10 cases in 2018, a 233-percent increase. Statewide rank is No. 41.

– Total early syphilis for females ages 15 to 44: No cases reported for 2014 to 2016; number of cases for 2017 and 2018 was suppressed as per agency Data De-Identification Guidelines. No ranking given.

– Congenital syphilis by year of birth: No cases from 2014 to 2017, one case in 2018. Statewide rank is No. 9.

Particularly concerning, the number of congenital syphilis cases was 14 percent higher than the previous year and nearly 900 percent higher than in 2012.

Congenital syphilis can be fatal to infants: there were 22 stillbirths or neonatal deaths in 2018.

STDs can cause a number of serious health problems. If left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain.

Syphilis can cause permanent loss of vision, hearing and other neurologic problems.

The highest rates of STDs are among young individuals ages 15 to 24.

“STDs are preventable by practicing safe sex, and many can be cured with antibiotics,” said acting State Public Health Officer Dr. Charity Dean. “Regular testing and treatment are essential prevention strategies, even for people who have no symptoms. Most people infected with an STD do not know it.”

CDPH is collaborating with local health departments and organizations throughout the state to coordinate efforts to control STDs, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus infection, or HIV.

The 2019-2020 state budget includes increases in funds to help address the rise in STDs, including:

· $40 million over four years to enhance the capacity of local health departments to identify, monitor and respond to communicable diseases.

· $5 million per year for STD prevention and control by local health departments and community based organizations.

· $5 million per year for HIV prevention and control by local health departments and community based organizations.

· $5 million per year for Hepatitis C prevention and control by local health departments and community based organizations.

· $2 million per year to enhance local health department capacity for STD prevention and control.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Smart Start Collective has announced the launch of its resource Web site aimed at connecting expectant parents and the families and caregivers of Lake County’s infants, toddlers and preschoolers with the wide array of local resources available to them.

“There are so many wonderful programs and services in our community to help parents give their children the best possible start in life; this Web site is a single, user-friendly source for families to find what they are looking for and learn about local resources they might never have thought to seek out,” said Carla Ritz, executive director of First 5 Lake County.

Emillie Feenan, director of the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health program for Lake County Public Health described the Web site as, “A prime example of what we can do when we come together as a collective to create a resource to help not only our families, but providers as well. It is exciting to know that we will have a resource guide for our 0-5 and perinatal population that is up to date and accurate. This is a huge win for our community.”

The Smart Start concept was introduced by Sutter Lakeside Hospital in 2017 with the introduction of it monthly safe sleep seminars to provide education on risk reduction for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and provide expectant parents in attendance with a “Smart Start Baby Bundle” including a pack-n-play, diapers, wipes, clothing, and other items to help them implement the skills they learned.

Sutter Lakeside also invited community partners to give short presentations at the classes, sharing information about the resources they provide to those in attendance.

Within a year, Adventist Health Clear Lake adopted and funded this model and began to offer the Smart Start Safe Sleep classes as well.

In December, representatives from local agencies and organizations serving families with young children came together as the “0-5 Network Forum” and spent a half-day together mapping Lake County resources in the areas of health and medicine, child growth and development, basic needs and resources, and parenting education.

Using this information, volunteer Blaze King designed and built the Smart Start Lake County Web site as a capstone project for his information technology degree program through California State University, Monterey Bay.

He spent countless hours creating a site that would be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant, mobile-friendly, bilingual and intuitive to use.

As the 0-to-5 Network Forum members worked together with King to make the Web site a reality, the consensus was that their efforts on this project and other joint efforts going forward would all share the similar goal of helping Lake County parents to give their children the best possible start in life, and thus changed their name from the 0-to-5 Network Forum to the Smart Start Collective.

“I am part of this collective because I do believe it takes a strong community to make changes. I believe in the work we do and feel that little steps will leave giant footprints in the future. This Web site is just the beginning for our families to connect with the wealth of resources Lake County has to offer,” said Angela Cuellar-Marroquin, Lake County Child Care Planning Council and QRIS coordinator for Lake County Office of Education.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital has continued to expand on its Smart Start efforts by applying for and receiving a grant from First 5 Lake to add a bilingual Family Resource Navigator position to their staff.

In July, the Family Resource Navigator began contacting participating parents, who opted in to the program at the safe sleep seminars, and she will continue reaching out by phone and mail multiple times in their baby’s first year of life to help parents navigate services systems and access needed resources.

Agencies and organizations currently participating in the Smart Start Collective are Adventist Health Clear Lake, Easterseals Northern California, E-Center WIC, First 5 Lake County, Lake County Child Welfare Services, Lake County Department of Public Health – Maternal Child & Adolescent Health, Tobacco and Lead Prevention Programs, SNAP-Ed, Oral Health Program Lake County Department of Social Services, Lake County Office of Education – Healthy Start, Child Care Planning Council, Bloom, Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Lake Family Resource Center, Mendocino Community Health Clinics – Lakeview Health Center, Mother-Wise, North Coast Opportunities – Rural Community Child Care Resource & Referral Partnership Health Plan, Redwood Coast Regional Center, Redwood Community Services and Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Mendocino-Lake Community College District Board of Trustees welcomed Noel O’Neill to its board as provisional trustee for area No. 1, which includes Willits and Fort Bragg.

The board vacancy is a result of the recent resignation of Paul Ubelhart, who served on the board for 15 years.

O’Neill ran unopposed for the seat on the board, and was interviewed in a public meeting format at the regularly scheduled October meeting.

The board discussed O’Neill’s qualifications following his interview and agreed by majority vote that he would be an excellent candidate to fill the opening.

“I am very appreciative to Mr. O’Neill for continuing to serve the public in this very important role as a trustee for area No. 1,” said Board President Robert Jason Pinoli. “His background will be invaluable to the important work we have before us. I am also pleased that Mr. O’Neill fills the last vacant seat making our board whole once again.”

O’Neill, a retired Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has more than 35 years of experience working in the behavior health industry, most of which he spent working for Mendocino County Behavioral Health.

He also has ties to Mendocino College, having worked as a part-time academic counselor and instructor from 2001 to 2008.

O’Neill currently is a council member for the California Behavioral Health Planning Council and serves on the Mendocino County Juvenile Justice Commission.

He is an advocate for student support programs in higher education and due to his background has a familiarity with the unique challenges students sometimes face when going through the college process.

“I am very eager to serve as a trustee on the Mendocino College Board representing area one where I have lived for more than half of my life. It is a privilege to both advocate for my immediate community and also support the overall growth and development of this amazing academic institution,” O’Neill said.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. O’Neill join our College Board of Trustees representing the coast and north county. With so many initiatives guiding us towards improving student success measures, Mr. O’Neill’s proficiency in higher education and behavioral health will enable him to provide valuable input regarding current and future student needs,” said interim Superintendent/President Eileen Cichocki.

The Mendocino-Lake Community College District Board of Trustees is responsible for the performance of the Mendocino-Lake Community College District, which serves approximately 8,000 students at locations in Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Lakeport, Willits and online, by providing vital educational services to the various communities in the region.

Each year more motorcycles are ridden on California’s roadways.

Through a federal grant, the California Highway Patrol has developed the Get Educated and Ride Safe II campaign, also known as GEARS II, to promote motorcycle safety and awareness.

The GEARS II goal is to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved crashes and crash victims.

The number of motorcycle-involved crashes increased approximately five percent in Federal Fiscal Year 2017 from the previous year and increased three percent in Federal Fiscal Year 2018.

Although crash numbers may continue to rise, the CHP is working to make that percentage as low as possible.

“Motorcycle safety is a top concern,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Improving motorcyclist and motorist safety through education and enforcement is the focus of this year’s GEARS grant.”

With the $700,000 grant, the regions with the highest number of motorcycle incidents will see enhanced motorcycle safety operations.

A year-long series of motorcycle traffic safety education campaigns, including the “May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month,” is planned.

The campaigns will promote the use of U.S. Department of Transportation approved motorcycle helmets for all riders and will work to raise motorists’ awareness of sharing the road with motorcyclists.

The campaigns will also focus on the most dangerous traffic violations, including speeding, improper turning, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a big group of new cats and kittens ready to be adopted.

The following cats and kittens at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.

Female domestic short hair

This female domestic short hair has a tortoiseshell coat and gold eyes.

She is in cat room kennel No. 4a, ID No. 13054.

Male domestic short hair

This male domestic short hair cat has a calico coat and gold eyes.

He is in kennel No. 4b, ID No. 13057.

Domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has a gray tabby and white coat and gold eyes.

He is in kennel V No. 10, ID No. 13033.

Male Siamese

This male Siamese has a short cream and seal point coat and blue eyes.

He is in cat room kennel No. 15, ID No. 13066.

Female domestic short hair

This female domestic short hair has a torbie and white coat and gold eyes.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 16, ID No. 12983.

Male domestic short hair

This male domestic short hair has a buff coat and gold eyes.

He is in cat room kennel No. 36, ID No. 13039.

Male domestic short hair cat

This male domestic short hair cat has a gray and white coat and green eyes.

He is in cat room kennel No. 63, ID No. 12710.

Male domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has a flame point coat and blue eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 96a, ID No. 13040.

Male domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has a black coat and green eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 96b, ID No. 13041.

Male domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has a black coat and green eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 96c, ID No. 13042.

Female domestic long hair

This female domestic long hair cat has a seal point coat with blue eyes.

She is in cat room kennel No. 132, ID No. 13021.

Male brown tabby

This male brown tabby has a long coat and green eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 143, ID No. 13006.

Male domestic short hair

This male domestic short hair cat has a flame point coat and blue eyes.

He is in cat room kennel No. 144, ID No. 13036.

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.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

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.

I have magical memories of pomegranates from my childhood. After school, I and a friend or two would buy a pomegranate from our local small-town market and spend the afternoon picking out the jewel-like seeds from the membrane that held them fast to eat one by one.

This was a painstaking process, for each small seed had to be plucked individually, but we didn’t mind. At that point in our lives, we had nothing but time, and the sweet, juicy flavor of the fruit was well worth our effort.

It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten a pomegranate in that fashion, for truly – as I’ve heard it said – “only a child has the time to eat a pomegranate.” We adults look for ways to make the process quick and easy. Pomegranates, along with long sessions of cloud watching, have fallen by the wayside in my adult years.

Pomegranates remind me of every Arabian Nights story I’ve ever read, of ancient Hebrew Scriptures, of fanciful stories in Greek mythology, and of medieval European art. Not to mention my carefree memories of pomegranate consumption in childhood.

Amazing that so much can be wrapped up in a brightly colored spherical fruit, eh?

Pomegranates are native to the historical region of Persia (modern day Iran) and the Himalayan ranges of India. They’ve been cultivated in various places in Asia, the Middle East, and Mediterranean Europe for several millennia. They truly are an ancient fruit.

A warm weather crop, pomegranate trees are drought resistant and do well in arid areas. For this reason, in the U.S. they’re grown mainly in California and Arizona.

In our hemisphere they’re in season from October through February, and in the southern hemisphere their season is from March to May.

The pomegranate is a berry – and a large one at that – and they hang on the boughs of the shrub-like trees that bear them like Christmas ornaments. It’s quite a striking presentation, as when pomegranates are in season, the trees are resplendent in bright gold fall foliage, a contrast to the red of the fruit.

The scores of tiny, bright, flavorful red globules that glisten within the leathery exterior of a pomegranate are called arils, and within each one of these is an edible seed. It is the arils that hold the juicy flavor of the fruit.

As might be expected, pomegranates are featured in traditional Persian cuisine, as well as in the cuisine of such places as India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Greece. The arils are added to salads, soups, and relishes, and the juice is used in sauces, desserts, and glazes for meats.

In these cuisines, pomegranate is paired with a wide variety of foods, including raisins, lentils, eggplant, lamb, yogurt, garlic, walnuts, and avocados. A thickened version of pomegranate juice, also known as pomegranate molasses, is often used in cooking. This is made by cooking the juice until it reduces and thickens.

If you’re looking for a good pomegranate recipe (or several dozen of them, for that matter), I highly recommend a website devoted to the marketing of pomegranates, that of the Pomegranate Council, whose U.S. address is in the city of Sonoma.

They have a mouth-watering array of dishes utilizing pomegranates, as well as instructions on things such as how to make juice or how to get the seeds out of the fruit. They can be found at www.pomegranates.org.

Generally, juice is made by liquefying the seeds in a blender, then straining through cheesecloth. It’s interesting how many times the warning, “caution: pomegranate juice stains” is used in all the instructions I’ve seen. Apparently, there’s a reason pomegranate juice was used as dye in ancient times.

Several sites (as well as a person or two) recommend an underwater method of removing the seeds from the skin. When this method is employed, the arils sink and the membrane floats to the surface, making for easy separation and gathering of the prized jewel-like arils. Once done, a good supply is available for making juice, using in recipes, or eating out of hand.

To do this, cut the crown off the pomegranate and score the skin from top to bottom in several places so it will open up. Then plunge the entire thing underwater as you separate the seeds from the rind by hand.

Pomegranate has been discovered to be a “super fruit” of sorts in terms of our health. It’s high in antioxidants – higher even than antioxidant power houses red wine and green tea – which bode well for cancer prevention and heart protection.

Its health benefits are legion, with an amazing list of things it enhances, protects, or prevents within our bodies. According to my research, it is said that pomegranates are high in vitamins A, B, and C, iron, calcium, and other essential minerals.

In addition, the antioxidants they contain are beneficial for blood circulation, making them useful for helping to prevent heart disease, arteriosclerosis, and inflammatory conditions.

Studies indicate they assist with ailments such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and menopausal symptoms. As well, they help with the retention of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “good cholesterol”) in the bloodstream.

I can tell you one more thing they’re good for: the enjoyment that comes when gazing upon a thing of beauty. Just Google images for pomegranates and you’ll see what I mean. It’s one of the most beautiful food-related image searches I’ve ever done. They’re truly the most photogenic of fruits.

I just love it when appetizers are easily prepared and still manage to provide a wow. The recipe below does just that. Not only is it beautiful, it tastes amazing. Enjoy!

Easy pomegranate – cream cheese plate

1 block cream cheese
Pomegranate seeds
Honey for drizzling

Place cream cheese whole on a serving platter and drizzle generously with honey. Sprinkle abundantly with pomegranate seeds. Arrange hearty crackers of your choice around the cream cheese.

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.