Californians around the state can now use an online tool to report incidents of fish and wildlife mortality directly to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).

By contributing to CDFW's growing database, citizens can help state environmental scientists gather important information necessary to monitor and evaluate wildlife populations and help prevent and control emerging diseases.

“The CDFW Wildlife Investigations Lab is asking for this information so we can be one step ahead of a potential disease outbreak or other health concern,” said CDFW Environmental Scientist Lora Konde. “If we don't know about it, we can't do anything about it.”

CDFW is particularly interested in reports of dead animals with no visible injuries, sick or dead animals in unusual locations and/or more than five sick or dead animals at one location.

There are three ways to submit information:

– Online: The preferred method is to submit information using the new mortality reporting form found at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Living-with-Wildlife . From the “Living with Wildlife” webpage, click on the purple box, “Report Dead Wildlife,” to access the form. The form asks for such information as: observation date, the reporter's name and contact information, what kind of animal, where the animal was located and estimated mortality date. Photographs may be uploaded as well. The form is meant to be submitted online, but can also be filled out manually, printed and faxed to the Wildlife Investigations Lab at 916-358-2814.
    
– Smartphone: There is not a smartphone “app” available, but the mortality reporting form on the CDFW Web site is phone-enabled and can be filled out and submitted directly from a smartphone. To access the form, go to the main CDFW Web site ( www.wildlife.ca.gov ) and type “mortality reporting” into the search engine. The first suggested link that appears will redirect you to the form and submission page.
    
Email: Reports can also be sent via email to the Wildlife Investigations Lab email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CDFW's database does not include small animals (cats, dogs, skunks, possums, etc.) killed by cars or other mechanical means.

These can be reported to the California Roadkill Observation System, www.wildlifecrossing.net/california/ .

However, please contact your local CDFW office ( www.wildlife.ca.gov/Regions ) if you observe a deer, mountain lion or bear that has been hit by a car.

For health reasons, do not touch a sick, injured or dead animal. If you find an injured or sick animal, you can contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitation center ( www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/WIL/rehab/facilities.html ) for advice.

Local animal control agencies can also assist with sick animals that may need help or small dead animals that should be removed.

Public contributions to state scientists' efforts (dubbed “citizen science”) is encouraged and greatly appreciated by CDFW.

“When people are going about their daily activities and they keep an eye out in the field for sick or dead animals and take the time to report it to us, it is very helpful. The public's input is an extra resource to support this monitoring effort and keep wildlife populations healthy,” Konde explained.

Though still relatively new, the online submission feature is already proving to be useful. In January 2015, CDFW began closely monitoring the population of band-tailed pigeons for signs of disease.

Many Californians who observed increased numbers of dead birds took the time to share that information with CDFW.

“We were grateful that the public responded enthusiastically and provided us with a lot of useful information through this online reporting method,” said Konde. “This makes the process of gathering data easier and more efficient. The faster we know about an outbreak, the faster we can analyze it and take action.”

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio (LCWS) is hosting a wine tasting event featuring wines from Sol Rouge, and artist reception with artist Linda Marshbanks from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 3, and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4.

The Saturday event will include an optional progressive three-course winemaker dinner at the Tallman Hotel following the appetizer course at the Studio. Owner Jill Kane and owner/winemaker Bryan Kane will be at the Studio and Tallman Hotel for the receptions and the special Saturday dinner event. Musical guest for both evenings will be Linda Brown on Celtic harp.

The $12.50 ($10 per person for studio club members) wine sampler and appetizers presented at the studio will showcase the 2013 Gypsy Blanc with a cabbage, fennel and carrot slaw with Cara Cara orange, 2011 Gypsy Rouge with Manchego Crouton, 2010 Syrah with lamb meatball and 2011 Cabernet Franc with raspberries drizzled with dark chocolate and cocoa nibs.
 
The wines and menu prepared by guest chef Mark Linback at the Tallman Hotel on April 4 will feature the 2012 Rosé with smoked trout salad of Butter lettuce, pickled red onion and fried egg with caper dressing, followed by the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon with J&S Ranch buffalo short ribs served with braised greens, marble potatoes and squash purée, and the dessert course will be chocolate two ways: chocolate berry sorbet and chocolate pot de créme with the 2011 Petite Sirah.
 
Reservations for the Saturday tasting at the Studio and dinner at the Tallman are $75 plus tax and may be obtained by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.

As well as he grows and harvests the grapes with a philosophy of making wine in the field, winemaker Bryan Kane has been reaping acclaim and awards with each vintage of Sol Rouge wines.

Committed to sustainable farming practices, Kane embraces proven, old-world winemaking methods – using French oak, native yeast, natural secondary fermentation and minimal racking with no fining or filtering.

Recognized as one of the “Next Generation Cult Winemakers” by Sommelier Journal, Kane’s non-interventionist technique intends to bring forth the true flavor and characteristics of the vineyard through to the wines and has defined him as one of the pioneers in the “natural wine” movement. While Kane’s primary focus is on Rhone varietals, he is equally adept with Bordeaux varietals.

The Sol Rouge vineyard is located in the rich, red volcanic soil of the Red Hills Appellation at elevations over 1800 feet nestled between Mt. Konocti and Benson Ridge.

Currently planted with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Cinsault, the site is all hillside with slopes up to 60 percent and has high density plantings of nearly 6,000 vines per hectare in some blocks.

The featured artist for April is Linda Marshbanks. Marshbanks knew she wanted to be an artist at the age of 5 when she watched her mother draw a picture of a woman’s face. She practiced drawing that picture over and over until she got it just right.

Self-taught, she won her first trophy for art when she was in kindergarten and by her own admission, became a perfectionist.

During her 30-year career as a cosmetologist, Marshbanks began to enter nail art competitions. She won 35 trophies in one year and went on to win the world championship in 1987.

She has written 21 nail painting instruction books to teach people how to paint the dot method she invented and during a 10-year period she traveled the United States to teach the method.

Marshbanks’ recent works of art are a series of detailed whimsical wine scenes with chickens that she has named “Fowl Play.”

Her paintings are about having fun, enjoying life and making people smile. Her works are painted on wood, canvas, furniture and just about everything she sees.

Many of her pieces are first painted onto paper towels and are then applied to recycled wooden pallets. Also designing and making jewelry, she has created over 500 designs of earrings that are lightweight and made to fit the curve of the ear. The latest design is a 3D butterfly.

Lake County Wine Studio is a gallery for display and sale of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artist’s shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.
 
The gallery is located at 9505 Main Street in Upper Lake and is open Monday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.; and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m.

The Marshbanks art exhibit will be on display through April 29.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030 or 707-293-8752.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Coyote Valley Elementary PTO invites you to attend the Rhinestone Rodeo Western Gala and fifth annual auction fundraiser on Saturday, April 18, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at  Moore Family Winery.

Come and enjoy a seated barbecue feast served family-style, with live music from “The Cobb Stompers” and premier auction items from Disney, De Young Museum, NASCAR, Beach Blanket Babylon, many local business and wineries, and more.

Tickets include dinner and a beverage and must be purchased in advance at $30 per person. Or purchase a whole table, seating eight people, for $240 and ensure you are seated and having fun with your closest family and friends. Two bottles of wine will be included per purchased table.

This amazing event serves to raise funds to enrich the education of Coyote Valley Elementary students through assemblies, field trips, special equipment such shade structures for the playground, special classroom supplies and more.

Childcare is available at Coyote Valley Preschool from 5 to 10:30 p.m. for the advance donation of $20 per family.

Tickets may be purchased in the Coyote Valley Elementary office or online at www.moorefamilywinery.com or www.cvepto.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Public Works Department reported that a closure on Brush Street will be in effect on Monday, March 30.

The closure, between Second and Third streets, will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There will be traffic control in the area.

Drivers are asked to use alternative routes and avoid the area if possible.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Do you wonder what all the fuss is about Facebook? What is Twitter and why would anyone want to send at “tweet?”

Lake County’s Library Director Christopher Veach is presenting a series of lectures called Social Media 101 at Lake County Library branches.

Social Media 101 covers the basics of Facebook, Twitter and other popular social media Web sites in a 30-minute presentation and then guests will have time to ask questions.

Guests are invited to bring their own technological devices. For more information call 707-263-8817.

On April 4 the program will be at Middletown Library, 21256 Washington St. from 2 to 3 p.m. The last program will be at Upper Lake Library on May 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. at 310 Second St.

This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Librarian.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.co.lake.ca.us and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a wine release party and birthday celebration for Olof Cellars from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

Eric and Cindi Olof of Olof Cellars will present their new Nebbiolo releases and new brand of CEO wines with appetizer pairings.

They also will celebrate their March birthdays and share a Swedish birthday cake, “Jordgubbstarta” with attendees.

The cost is $15 per person, $12 per person for wine studio club members and complimentary for Olof Cellars Wine Club members. RSVP to Susan at 707-293-8752.

Lake County Wine Studio is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.

It is open Monday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m.; and Friday, 1 to 8 p.m.