CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake has begun a remodel project around the front entrance of the hospital to improve accessibility.

The new entrance will feature a redesigned stairway and ramp and is anticipated to be completed by Jan. 1, 2017.

“The goal of this project is to ensure all patients and visitors have easy access to our services,” explains David Santos, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake president and chief executive officer. “The temporary inconvenience of the construction will have a lasting benefit for our patients and community by improving accessibility for all.”
 
The main entrance of the hospital will continue to be available for patients throughout the remodel project.

The first phase of construction is currently in progress. It includes demolishing and rebuilding the front stairway. The ramp to the left of the stairs as patients and visitors approach the hospital remains open.
 
The ramp area will be remodeled after the new stairway opens. During this time, patients with mobility challenges will be welcomed into the hospital through the Emergency Department entrance, located on the side of the hospital facing 18th Avenue.
 
Lake County NAACP Chapter President Rick Mayo commended the hospital on its efforts around improving accessibility.

“The experience of elderly and disabled residents of our county is important, especially when it comes to accessing health care services,” Mayo said. “This project is just the latest phase in St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s accessibility efforts. I am very pleased to see the hospital moving forward with these improvements.”
 
Visit www.sthelenahospitalclearlake.org for more information.

MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN (Rated PG-13)

With many films to his credit, ranging from “Edward Scissorhands” to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” director Tim Burton is undeniably imaginative and visionary.

“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is definitely in his creative wheelhouse.

Based on the best-selling novel with the same title by author Ransom Riggs, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” is a spooky, haunting and wonderful coming-of-age story that could only be fully realized by Tim Burton.

The titular heroine of the book and movie, Miss Peregrine (Eva Green), is the protector of the Peculiars and is similarly strange in that she resembles a dark Mary Poppins-like figure that is rather eccentric and fearless.

The story begins in South Florida where awkward teenager Jake (Asa Butterfield) is devoted to his dementia-suffering grandfather Abe Portman (Terence Stamp), who was always telling him wild stories about the orphanage in Wales run by the astonishing Miss Peregrine.

When his beloved grandfather dies mysteriously, Jake travels to the Welsh island with his father (Chris O’Dowd) to find out about Abe’s past and to discover if the home and its residents, which Abe talked about, really exist.

Thrust from a dull suburban existence in Florida to the surreal gateway of a world trapped in the World War II era, Jake goes from knowing the ordinary to having to leave all semblance of normal life behind.

At first, Jake is escorted around the island by surly hired guides, only to discover the decaying remains of Miss Peregrine’s Victorian castle. Left to his own devices, he soon discovers the Peculiars and a passageway to Miss Peregrine’s alternate universe.

Time travel takes Jack back to 1943, where Miss Peregrine and her charges live in a “time loop” of reliving the same day, similar to “Groundhog Day,” where the mission is to thwart a Nazi warplane from bombing the Home.

The residents at Miss Peregrine’s Home have their own peculiarities, mostly supernatural or incredible powers that set them apart from other kids, as if they candidates for Professor Xavier’s school in the “X-Men” franchise.
 
Jake finds a like-minded soul in Emma (Ella Purnell), a blonde beauty who has the ability to manipulate air and must wear a pair of heavy lead boots to keep from floating away. Their relationship blossoms into a sweet, naïve teenage love story.

Not so loving is Enoch (Finlay MacMillan), the oldest boy with a talent for giving life to inanimate objects, who distrusts the newcomer and begrudges the affection Emma shows for Jake.

Among the many children, Olive (Lauren McCrostie) is a free spirit who must wear long black gloves at all times because she ignites everything she touches. The cutest kid might be the Shirley Temple-look alike who has sharp teeth on the back of her neck.

The central villain is Samuel L. Jackson’s Barron, who commands an army of invisible skeletal monsters that only Jake can see. His mission is to destroy all the children for the odd purposes of consuming their eyeballs.

Consistent with Tim Burton’s darker material, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” though stunning in its surreal imagery, has plenty of nightmarish visuals that might be too much for the very young to handle.

For all others, including teenagers and adults, the twisted fairytale with creepy moments is equal parts entertaining and fascinating as only the creator of “Beetlejuice” could conjure.

TV CORNER: 'WESTWORLD' ON HBO

More than 40 years have passed since Yul Brynner starred as a robotic gunslinger in “Westworld,” and now a modernized but still Old West fantasy world based on the Michael Crichton novel runs on HBO for 10 episodes.

In HBO’s “Westworld,” under the autocratic rule of theme park founder Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins), the very wealthy are willing to pay top dollar to share Wild West adventures with android “hosts.”

Visitors to the Westworld playground indulge in every appetite, no matter how noble or depraved. No wonder these fantasies include gunfights, drinking and gambling, and visits to the brothel run by Maeve (Thandie Newton).

The virtual reality of Westworld, staged with Old West authenticity, includes fascinating characters which keep you guessing as to whether they are “guests” or “hosts.”

Rancher’s daughter Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) begins to discover that her idyllic existence is a carefully constructed lie.

James Marsden’s charming Teddy is handy with a revolver, but the Man in Black (Ed Harris) distills the essence of pure villainy.

More importantly, the Man in Black speaks on more than one occasion about the fact that “there’s a deeper level to this game,” and the audience, much like this character, will be seeking this greater truth over the run of this science-fiction Western.

Another point of fascination with Dr. Ford’s fantasyland is that incidents of aberrant behavior cropping up in some recently re-coded hosts lead to top programmer Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright) bickering with staff members.

“Westworld” requires attention to details, such as the meaning of one host having an unscripted encounter with an artifact from the outside world. By the second episode, tension is noticeably rising inside and out of the park and you may wish to stick with this series to the end.

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

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is seeking input on the development of the Black Butte River and Cold Creek Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP).

The CRMP will address how best to manage the river into the future.
 
The CRMP will focus on protecting the river’s free-flowing condition and water quality as well as the outstanding remarkable values and classification for which the river was designated.

A CRMP is required by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 for each segment to provide for the protection of the river values.

The three designated river segments on the Mendocino National Forest are:

· 16 miles of Black Butte River, from the Mendocino County Line to its confluence with Jumpoff Creek were designated as wild.
· 3.5 miles of the Black Butte River, from its confluence at Jumpoff Creek to its confluence with Middle Eel River were designated as scenic.
· 1.5 miles of Cold Creek, from the Mendocino County Line to its confluence with Black Butte River were designated as wild.
 
The forest is working on the initial steps needed to complete this plan and would like your input on these steps as well as on our approach and management actions.

Comments will be most useful if they are received by Oct. 28.

Comments can be sent electronically via email, mailed or faxed. Comments may also be hand-delivered to the Upper Lake Ranger District office at 10025 Elk Mountain Road from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

For more information visit the forest Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mendocino/home/?cid=FSEPRD517563 .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The United States Postal Service doesn’t take a holiday, and neither should the mail.

And for businesses that will be open for business on a nontraditional holiday like Columbus Day the USPS will take their mail.

Business mailers can deposit their mail at any district collection box throughout the San Francisco postal district on Monday, Oct. 10. Collectors will be making collections outside the normal holiday schedule.
 
The San Francisco postal district includes post offices north of the Golden Gate to the Oregon border and the peninsula to Mt. View. The district serves ZIP Codes in the 940, 941, 949, 954 and 955 range.
 
While there will be no delivery or retail service at Post Offices on the Columbus Day Holiday, the Postal Service will still be processing and transporting mail to ultimate destinations.
 
Many businesses will be open on the Columbus Day Holiday, and the Postal Service suggests that businesses avoid mailroom clutter by depositing their mail in collection boxes on the Monday holiday instead of holding it for the following day when mail processing facilities experience heavy volumes the day after a holiday.
 
mail processing centers work around the clock, even on holidays, which means businesses can benefit by taking advantage of up-and-running postal operations and get a jump on daily business transactions, ensuring their mail gets advanced in the mail stream and on its way to their destination.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The next free household hazardous waste dropoff event will be held Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22, at Lake County Waste Solutions Transfer Station and Recycling Yard, 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.
 
Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge. Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.

Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks (empty), pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet) and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.

Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.

To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980.

Household hazardous waste dropoff services are provided to Lake County residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).

Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this county-funded service and first make an appointment. Business appointments can be made by calling Lake County Waste Solutions at 707-234-6400.

Beginning in June, ask about receiving a free puncture-proof sharps container at one of these events to use for free sharps disposal.

Free recycling options for residents and businesses:

· Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions and South Lake Refuse and Recycling Center first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.

· Used motor oil and cooking oil can be dropped off by businesses and residents, at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the North Shore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for more locations.

· Electronics (e-waste) can be dropped off at Lake County Waste Solutions and at South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center.

Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com

South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
Open daily, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com

The free Household Hazardous Waste drop off program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County households.

For more information about recycling, reusing and reducing, visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us , call the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980 or like Lake County Public Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LCPublicServices?fref=ts .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Saw Shop Bistro’s 15th annual benefit dinner for Habitat for Humanity Lake County will be held on Monday, Nov. 7.

The multi-course, sit-down dinner will begin at 6 p.m. at the Saw Shop Bistro, 3825 Main St. in Kelseyville.

The funds received will go toward providing homes for the 2015-16 fire victims.

This is the main funding event for Habitat for Humanity Lake County. All costs of the dinner are donated to Habitat for Humanity including the food, wine and the staff hours of the Saw Shop.

Tickets are $100 each. Event sponsorship awards the sponsor with a table for eight guests in addition to recognition in Habitat’s biannual newsletter and social media forums.

Sponsorships are available by contacting Habitat for Humanity directly. Please call the Saw Shop Bistro at 707-278-0129 for reservations.

For further information, or to be an event sponsor, call the Habitat for Humanity office at 707-994-1100.

Determining the sex of black bass
 
Question: We fish Lake Silverwood most of the time, and usually it’s for bass.

Is there a way to determine the sex of a largemouth bass? We are interested primarily in the fish we catch in the spring.

Also, are crayfish part of the diet for bass in Lake Silverwood? (Doug T., Hesperia).
 
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no easy way to sex black bass (including largemouth bass) unless they are in spawning mode.

The males move up first into the spawning areas and make the nests. The females then join them when they’re ready. When you see a pair on a nest, the male is usually the smaller of the pair and will be the most aggressive.

A single female will mate with more than one male during the spawning season. And regarding their diet, yes, crayfish are part of the black bass diet.
                     
Deer hunting from my house?

Question: I have a house on five acres in Northern California and have some really nice bucks on my land. Every day they come within a few feet of my house and graze on my garden and plants.

If I purchase an A Zone tag this year, can I legally shoot a deer on my land from my house or porch?

My house is situated more than 200 yards from any other property or house and it is outside of the city limits. (Brian T.)
 
Answer: Yes. The safety zone law prohibits shooting within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling without the permission of the occupant.

As long as it is otherwise legal to discharge a firearm in this area (e.g. not in the city limits or not prohibited by county ordinance), then go for it!
 
Landing net size for ocean kayak fishing?

Question: What size opening on a landing net is needed for ocean fishing? I fish from a kayak between San Francisco Bay and the Mexico border, and all points in between. (Jeff K.)
 
Answer: A landing net is required when fishing from any vessel on the ocean.

“No person shall take finfish from any boat or other floating device in ocean waters without having a landing net in possession or available for immediate use to assist in landing undersize fish of species having minimum size limits; the opening of any such landing net shall be not less than eighteen inches in diameter” (California Code of Regulations Title 14, 28.65(d)).
 
Fishermen are ultimately responsible for being able to determine whether the fish they take are of legal size. When in doubt, your best bet is to consult the California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.
 
What license for crabbing via a "crab snare"?

Question: A friend and I would really like to try our hand at getting some crab this year using crab snares (loop traps). I am referring to the types that have a bait cage with a bunch of snares attached and are cast out using a rod and reel.

The problem is that I'm not sure if we just need a normal fishing license or something else. Can you please clarify? (Kyle C.)
 
Answer: Just a normal fishing license is all that is required for crabbing.
 
Is ocean fishing with a crossbow legal?

Question: Is it legal to take fish in Southern California oceans using a crossbow? I know that using a bow and arrow is legal but I would like to know if crossbows are also legal.

I also realize that the usual bag limits, size limits and closures apply. (Rod)
 
Answer: Spears, harpoons and bow and arrow fishing tackle (including crossbows) may be used for taking all varieties of skates, rays and sharks, except white sharks.

Such gear may not be possessed or used within 100 yards of the mouth of any stream in any ocean waters north of Ventura County, nor aboard any vessel on any day or trip when broadbill swordfish or marlin have been taken.

Bow and arrow fishing tackle may also be used to take finfish other than giant (black) sea bass, garibaldi, gulf grouper, broomtail grouper, trout, salmon, broadbill swordfish and white shark (CCR Title 14, section 28.95).
 
For hunting purposes, crossbows are not considered to be archery equipment (see CCR Title 14, section 354). But under the fishing regulations, crossbows qualify as bow and arrow fishing tackle.

It does not matter what type of bow or crossbow is used under legal bow and arrow fishing, but a line must be attached to the bow and the arrow/bolt (CCR Title 14, section 1.23).

If using a crossbow for shark fishing, be sure of the species and any associated size and/or bag limits before pulling that trigger.
 
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. .