JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 (Rated R)

The unexpected success of Keanu Reeves as a legendary hit man in the titular role of “John Wick” in 2014, a demanding task of full-blown action requiring a blend of martial arts and gunplay, screamed for a sequel.

With an even higher body count when Reeves’ John Wick takes on various henchmen of criminal enterprises, “John Wick: Chapter 2” delivers the high-octane action thrills on a much grander scale of mayhem than the original.

Remember that in the first film it was the senseless killing of his dog that threw John Wick into a fury of brutal vengeance.  It all kicks off this time when he retrieves his beloved 1969 Mustang from a treacherous Russian gang.

Having attempted to retire from the underworld when he got married, the now widowed Wick has been trying to put his criminal life behind him, but to no avail when the bad guys are restless and unforgiving.

After a high-speed chase on New York City streets, John’s plans to have a quiet civilian life are cut short when Italian gangster Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) shows up on his doorstep with a marker compelling the repayment of past favors.

Taking refuge at the Continental, neutral ground for killers in a hotel run by the imperious Winston (Ian McShane), Wick realizes he has no choice but to respect the ancient code of fulfilling a marker, no matter how odious the assignment.

As a result, Wick is off to Rome to do Santino’s dirty work and soon comes to know that the contract killing would have the very unfortunate consequence of granting Santino a seat at the “High Table,” an international criminal cartel.

Penetrating an ornate villa during a gala event to fulfill the hit, Wick is soon chased through the ruins of a Roman bathhouse by an endless stream of heavily-armed thugs.

But the best confrontation is with his target’s devoted bodyguard Cassian (Common) as well as with Santino’s lethal colleague, the mute but dexterous androgynous fighter Ares (Ruby Rose).

The second chapter of “John Wick” ends with the seemingly obvious allusion to another installment, where it appears without any doubt that the body count will mount even higher as the titular character will face off with an ostensibly endless throng of assassins.

To be sure, John Wick has more lives than a cat, and it’s hard to imagine that he won’t have a welcome return for more chaotic mayhem.  Here’s hoping that his mechanic Aurelio (John Leguizamo) has restored the classic Mustang for more thrilling street action.

TV Corner: ‘Powerless’ on NBC Network

In the DC Universe of comic book heroics, comedy is rare when it involves the apocalyptic battles between villains and superheroes.

The NBC network aims to change that with its new series “Powerless.”

Young actress Vanessa Hudgens, best known for the “High School Musical” TV shows, takes the lead role of Emily Locke, who has been recruited to take a job at Wayne Security in Charm City.

The joke is that Wayne Security is a failing subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises in Gotham City, where the unseen Bruce Wayne apparently has become impatient with the leadership of his incompetent cousin Van Wayne (Alan Tudyk), a vain, silly man with no real drive.

Actually, Van does have ambition to get out of Charm City, if for no other reason than the daily grind of life in this boring metropolis results in the constant need for its citizens not to become collateral damage in the epic superhero vs. villain battles.

In her new position of the head of research and development, Emily is tasked with the improbable duty of motivating the apathetic employees of her division, and that would especially include engineers Teddy (Danny Pudi) and Ron (Ron Funches).

The problem for Emily is that she’s not experienced enough to be an authority figure, and she unwisely struggles to become friends with her employees who take pains not to let her in on their superhero online fantasy league.

Both Danny Pudi and Ron Funches have made their marks in other network comedies, which would be “Community” and “Undateable” respectively.  As such, they are well-equipped with comedic chops to push back with nice quips.

While the best lines belong to Tudyk’s Van Wayne, his secretary Jackie (Christina Kirk) has funny counter-punches in her effortless mocking of her boss’ noticeable insecurities, including the fact that he’s omitted from the photo of the Wayne Dream Team on prominent display.

Hudgens’ Emily exhibits a pixie-like charm of the innocent waif tossed into the unfamiliar territory of urban challenges.  While others shrug off everyday supernatural events, Emily is bewildered by the carnage that derails her subway ride to the first day on the job.

The good news for “Powerless” is its half-hour running time, which affords even the most casual viewer time to catch up on the first few episodes and gives this character-driven comedy a chance to make an impression, whether good, bad or indifferent.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – As part of its ongoing efforts to provide quality care and services to the community, Hospice Services of Lake County is offering free volunteer training for adults who want to make a difference.

The non-medical training sessions provide new volunteers with knowledge and skills for visiting patients in hospice care and for offering bereavement support to the patient’s loved ones and family members, according to Hospice Services Development/Marketing Coordinator Janine Smith-Citron.

An introductory meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The introduction is followed by two days of training on Saturdays, March 18 and 25, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The initial meeting and trainings will take place at the Hospice offices, 1862 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.

All training materials and lunch on both Saturdays will be provided free of charge. Participants must be age 18 or older. To reserve space and obtain information, contact Terry Phelps at 707-263-6270, Extension 136, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Training is provided by guest speakers who are experts in their respective fields.

The volunteers-in-training will learn new skill sets and practical information to become successful hospice volunteers.

Patient support volunteers give non-medical support, companionship and practical help to hospice patients and offer respite to the caregivers.

Bereavement volunteers provide support to loved ones and grieving family members at camps and support groups.

Hospice Services of Lake County has additional opportunities for volunteering with the agency.

For more information, call 707-263-6222 or visit the organization’s Web site at www.lakecountyhospice.org .

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of the Presidents Day holiday.

Forest offices will resume regular business hours at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21.

If you are planning a trip to the forest, please look for infomation on the forest Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino/ .

Hoop netting for crabs off California piers

Question: Is it legal to use hoop nets to catch crab off piers in California this time of the year?

I thought that I read crab season runs through June. However, the hoop net is a net that people use for catching California spiny lobster too, so do I need the California Spiny Lobster Report Card even though I’m not fishing for lobster?

I ask this because someone might think that I intend to fish for lobster if I am operating a hoop net.

Also, I have a fishing license I recently purchased for this year, but in general, does one need a license to operate a crab trap during crab season on a pier in California? (Trevor W.)

Answer: Dungeness are the only crabs with a closed season, and they are found mostly along the northern half of California’s coast.

Dungeness crab season varies depending on location, so you should check the regulations once you know where you will be crabbing (see section 29.85 on page 51 of the 2016-2017 Ocean Sportfishing Regulations booklet).

The other crabs belonging to the Cancer genus (yellow crab, rock crab, red crab and slender crab) are found statewide and may be taken year round.

You need a sport fishing license to take crab generally, but whenever you are fishing from a public fishing pier, a sport fishing license is not needed. You are limited to two fishing appliances on a public fishing pier, though (two nets, rods, lines, etc.).

As long as you immediately release any lobster that may wander into your net, you do not need a Spiny Lobster Report Card.

This means you cannot keep them for any length of time. If you pull one up, it must go right back into the water.

Before taking crab, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) encourages you to check for any health advisories related to domoic acid by calling the California Department of Public Health at 1-800-553-4133.

Using artificial scents as fish attractants?

Question: Are you allowed to use artificial scents applied to lures such as fish oil-based products to attract fish in freshwater lakes of California? What’s the difference between bait and using scents that do not contain food to attract fish? (Dean H.)

Answer: Artificial scents may be applied to lures or baits except in areas with specific artificial lure restrictions.

An artificial lure “does not include scented or flavored artificial baits” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 1.11). This means attractants may not be applied to the lure while fishing in waters restricted for artificial lure use only. It is very common to use fish oil products and or scents in many areas of the state.

Does a loaded Bandolier make an unloaded gun loaded?

Question: If a gun is unloaded but has a Bandolier attached to the stock containing loaded bullets/shells, is it actually considered to be a loaded gun? (Anonymous)

Answer: No. Loaded gun laws that apply to vehicles on roads open to the public have changed over the years, and there are differences between the Fish and Game Code and the Penal Code.

Long guns are considered to be loaded pursuant to Fish and Game Code, section 2006 “when there is an unexpended cartridge or shell in the firing chamber but not when the only cartridges or shells are in the magazine.”

Under the Penal Code, a firearm is also considered to be loaded if there is a round in the magazine that can be loaded into the firing chamber with the firearm’s action. A firearm with rounds in a holder attached to the stock would not be considered loaded under these standards.

Hunting small game with a .22 air rifle?

Question: What are the laws on hunting small game (doves, quail, etc.)? Do I need a hunting license to hunt small game?

I live in the Bakersfield area and am wondering if I can hunt doves and quail with a .22 air rifle? (Arnold C.)

Answer: You will need a hunting license to hunt big and small game mammals as well as game birds.

If you don’t yet have your license, you will need to take and successfully pass a Hunter Education course.

You can find information about the courses, dates and locations of upcoming classes, and you may sign up for a class on our Hunter Education website.

Methods of take for resident small game include “air rifles powered by compressed air or gas and used with any caliber of pellet, except that wild turkey may only be taken with a pellet that is at least 0.177 caliber” (CCR Title 14, section 311(f)). Different methods of take are specified for migratory birds, such as doves. Air rifles or all other rifles are prohibited for the take of migratory birds (CCR Title 14, section 507).

Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Nelson Robert Hopper
Jan. 27, 1917 – Feb. 9, 2017

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Traditional Native American visitation will be held at Big Valley Gymnasium starting on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. and continue to Saturday morning.

Rosary service at the Gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m. Graveside funeral service at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m.

For further information please contact his daughter, Loretta Harjo, at 951-581-7499, or Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

Not every business that a consumer deals with will be committed to protecting their personal information.

That’s why it’s important for consumers to take the protection of their privacy into their own hands, and make sure the businesses that receive their data will safeguard it.

The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, received nearly 500,000 complaints about identity theft in 2015. Making sure your personal information is protected is one of the best ways to prevent identity theft.

BBB encourages consumers to find out the answer to these questions before dealing with a business or entering information on a Web site.

Businesses can use these questions as a framework for ensuring that they’re respecting the privacy and safeguarding the data of their customers:

Does the Web site have a privacy policy?

The California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA) requires any commercial Web site or online service that “collects personally identifiable information through the Internet about individual consumers residing in California” to “conspicuously post its privacy policy on its Web site.”

The policy must include what information is being collected and who it is shared with, along with other disclosures.

Make sure any Web site that may be collecting your information has a privacy policy. If it doesn’t, not only are they breaking the law, they’re also probably not protecting your privacy.

·How is your data being protected?

Every business should have a data protection plan, and be open and transparent about it to their customers.

A data protection strategy should detail how data is stored, the security of the storage system and how it’s backed up, recovered and moved.

If you aren’t convinced by a business’ data protection or they aren’t transparent about it, don’t feel pressured to continue with the interaction.

What is being collected and shared?

A Web site’s privacy policy should be clear about what data is being collected and shared. If you are dealing with a company offline, you’ll know what data you’re supplying them with.

However, it’s important to ask if your data is being shared with vendors or partners, or if it’s being sold.

Even if the original business is committed to protecting your privacy, their vendors may not be. After figuring out which entities your data is shared with, determine the security practices of those businesses as well.

Is the business PCI compliant?

The PCI Security Standards aim to protect financial information and cardholder data.

The Standards maintain that “payment security is required for all entities that store, process or transmit cardholder data.”

Make sure that any business you supply financial information to is PCI complaint.

What will be done if your data is stolen?

The Identity Theft Resource Center’s 2016 Data Breach Report includes more than 1,000 breaches that exposed more than 36 million records. Every business should have a plan to prevent data breaches.

Additionally, the business should have a plan detailing what they will do if a data breach does occur. What measures do they have in place to detect a breach?

If a breach is detected, what’s their communication plan for notifying customers? Will they attempt to investigate the breach and mitigate the damage?

If you’re concerned that your personal information has been compromised by a data breach, you can find tips and suggestions at www.bbb.org/breach .

Rebecca Harpster works for the Better Business Bureau serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California.

Elizabeth Carol Schramm
Dec. 25 1924 - Feb. 14, 2017

NICE, Calif. – Carol Schramm peacefully left her earthly life from her home in Nice. She had been under the loving care of family, Hospice Services of Lake County and Sequoia Senior Solutions.

Mrs. Schramm was preceded in death by her husband, Bryan; daughter, Janet; and brother, Robert Stetson.

She is survived by son, Richard (Rita) of Nice; daughter, Carol von Tempsky (Randall) of Maui; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Mary Ashworth of Upland.

Longtime residents of Nice, Carol, Bryan and Richard ran True Value Hardware until 1999.

Carol filled her 92 years with family, painting and ceramics, choral groups, ladies bowing league, time in her yard and extended stays at their second home in Kihei, Maui.

Ms. Schramm's life will be celebrated by family at a later date. Chapel of the Lakes is assisting the family and the family requests any donations in Carol’s memory to be make to Hospice Services of Lake County.

Aloha, Mom.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .