SAN FRANCISCO – On Tuesday, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris warned California homeowners to beware of phone solicitations from scam artists claiming to provide assistance related to the recent national mortgage settlement.

Under California law, it is illegal to charge an up-front fee for loan modification services. Third parties that claim to offer homeowners access to funds under the national mortgage settlement are likely running a scam. Homeowners receiving such solicitations should not provide any personal or financial information and should report the solicitation to the California Department of Justice (http://ag.ca.gov/contact/complaint_form.php?cmplt=CL ).

Californians seeking relief under the state's recent $18 billion mortgage settlement are advised to heed the following tips to avoid falling prey to scams that often arise around high profile settlements:

• Be skeptical of third party phone solicitations. Only your bank/loan servicer can assist you with regard to the recent national mortgage settlement.
• Do not give your personal financial information to a solicitor such as your bank account number, social security number or even the name of your loan servicer. Your bank will already have this information.
• Never pay an up-front fee for mortgage-related services. It is against California law and should be reported to the California Department of Justice.
• Call your bank to see if you qualify for relief under the settlement.

For free, trustworthy advice:

• Call a HUD approved counselor: 888-995-4673
• Call Keep Your Home CA: 888-954-5337

If you think you may be eligible for relief under the national mortgage settlement, call your bank directly:

• Bank of America/Countrywide: 877-488-7814
• JPMorgan Chase/Washington Mutual: 866-372-6901
• GMAC Mortgage/Ally Financial: 800-766-4622
• Citibank/CitiMortgage: 866-272-4749
• Wells Fargo/Wachovia: 800-288-3212

For additional information regarding the mortgage settlement, please visit: http://oag.ca.gov/nationalmortgagesettlement and http://oag.ca.gov/nationalmortgagesettlement/faqs .

Gambling should never be a problem. The California Gambling Control Commission (Commission) joins the Office of Problem Gambling (OPG) and other partners to bring extra awareness to this very real issue during Problem Gambling Awareness Week, March 4-10.

The theme this year is “Gambling can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime.”

Look for increased publicity in the form of posters, radio and TV announcements, and information being made available through the Lottery, local cardrooms and tribal casinos. The message is being sent to everyone, with special emphasis towards vulnerable populations.

Approximately 83 percent of California adults have gambled at least once in their lives; 58 percent in the past year.

“Most people play cards, slots,  the lottery or go to the races for fun and entertainment,” according to Commission Chair Stephanie Shimazu, “We all need to be aware that it can stop being simple fun for some individuals and their families.”

A study conducted for OPG indicates that 9.5 percent of adult Californians are at risk for problem gambling.

California is on the frontline in developing tools for health care providers, counselors, law enforcement and others to help problem gamblers and their families.

The third annual Problem Gambling Training Summit is being held in San Diego on March 5-6.  Leaders, industry personnel and other professionals will attend workshops and hear speakers on the theme of, “Building a Foundation for Multicultural Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Services.”

“More than 200 licensed mental health therapists have been trained and participate in a statewide network of providers who can treat gambling addiction,” according to OPG Deputy Director Terri Sue Canale. “These providers treated over 1,300 gamblers and their affected family members this past year.”

Gamblers also can receive help by phone through a statewide helpline at 800-426-2537, (1-800-GAMBLER).

In addition, there is a self-exclusion program for cardrooms in the state, as well as community support groups like Gamblers Anonymous.  

For more information about these and other programs visit www.problemgambling.ca.gov .

The California Office of Problem Gambling activities are funded through the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund, the Lottery and cardroom fees.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Soper-Reese Theater’s Classic Movie Series continues in 2012 with the classic from the Western genre, “High Noon.”

This historic film will be shown Tuesday, March 13, at the Soper-Reese Theatre in Lakeport, with a $5 suggested donation. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the film starting at 6 p.m.

This classic western stars Gary Cooper as Marshall Will Kane from Hadleyville.

He is close to retiring from office, and going on his honeymoon with new Quaker bride Amy, portrayed by Grace Kelly.

His marital plans are disturbed by the arrest of leader of the Miller gang, who is set to arrive on the noon train.

Frank Miller is a man he sent to prison years before, and who is returning with the express desire to exact his revenge on the Marshall.

Kane's bride encourages him to leave town, but he is bound by his honor and duty to complete this last task with no help from the other citizens in the town he has protected for so long.

This film is created in “real time” so its 85 minutes corresponds the actual story time shown. The minutes slowly tick off to the show down between the Marshall Kane and the murderous Miller gang with the arrival of the noon train.

This classic film is considered to be the “landmark” for adult westerns. The movie won four Academy Award including the best actor award for Gary Cooper and Best Song for the hit, “Do Not Forsake Me, O My Darling” sung by Tex Ritter.

This special Lake County showing is part of a new Classic Movie Series recently debuted at the theater that runs on the second Tuesday of every month through June of 2012.

Check the theater's Web site, www.soperreesetheatre.com , or call 707-263-0577 to see what other classics are coming up.

The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is a restored, historic, performing arts venue established in 1949 and seating 300 patrons.

Run by an all-volunteer organization, the theater operates under the guidance of the non-profit Lake County Arts Council.

The Soper-Reese brings dance, music, plays and poetry to all members of the Lake County community and to visiting tourists.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its next regular meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 8.

The commission will meet in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

Commissioners are Lynn Andre, Cindy Ustrud, Ronald Bertsch, Ann Blue and Suzanne Russell.

There will be reports on Library Park, Westside Park and Westshore Pool.

The commission also will set its next regular meeting for 3 p.m. Thursday, April 12.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Tatonka Land Mini Golf in Clearlake will host a fundraiser on Saturday, March 10, to support Clearlake's annual July 4 fireworks display.

From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 10, play golf and help raise funds for the fireworks.

All proceeds of that day’s sales will be donated to the fireworks display.

Tatonka Land Mini Golf is located at 14240 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-1661 or 707-972-8502.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge No. 6-166 will meet on Thursday, March 22.

The group meets at Galilee Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 8860 Soda Bay Rd, Kelseyville.

A dinner of corned beef and cabbage will be served at 6 p.m. The cost is $8.

At 7 p.m., guest speaker Carol Francis, Sons of Norway's Zone 1 director, will discuss “Ostman – the Norwegian Vikings of Ireland.”

For more information about the group visit www.vikingsoflakelodge.org .