Friday, May 11 2012, 1:12 pm

The following questions were asked on the California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) website:

Question: I was wondering if it's mandatory to have to give up my salmon heads when the volunteer fish checkers come around to measure my fish? I thought it was my choice.

Answer: Yes, it's mandatory. The surveyors at the dock collecting heads are not volunteers but are paid, trained and educated biologists, and anglers in possession of a salmon with a clipped adipose fin are required to relinquish the head to these Department of Fish and Game (DFG) employees (Fish and Game Code, section 8226).

Section 8226 reads: "(a) ... any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, the small, fleshy fin on the back of the fish between the back fin and the tail, upon request by an authorized agent or employee of the department, shall immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state, at no charge, for recovery of any coded-wire tag. The head may be removed by the fish owner or, if removed by the official department representative, the head shall be removed in a manner to minimize loss of salmon flesh and the salmon shall immediately be returned to the rightful owner. (b) It is unlawful to intentionally conceal, cull or release into the waters a salmon with a missing adipose fin that it is otherwise legal to possess."

Question: My daughter has a red-shouldered hawk that frequents her deck in San Rafael. The hawk seems to enjoy scanning from the railing for critters it might like to eat. This bird appears to have a silver tag on its right leg just above the claw but I can't read the writing. I was wondering if DFG or any agencies that you know of have a tagging program for hawks?

Answer: Yes, there are numerous researchers both in and outside of California that capture and mark birds. According to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Raptor Biologist Carie Battistone, identification bands should be reported to the Bird Banding Lab (BBL) (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl), administered by USGS. If someone sees a marked bird, such as this red-shouldered hawk, they can report it by accessing BBL's website and clicking the "Report a Bird Band or Marked Bird" link. This national program allows researchers to study bird movement (dispersal and migration patterns), survival, population trends and more.

Many bands are reported when a bird is recaptured or dies. Reading the band number can be hard, but not impossible, on live birds. In addition to silver bands, researchers also use color bands which tend to be much easier to identify and report.

Question: If an area is posted "closed to fishing," like the stretch of the Feather River between the green bridge in Oroville and the fish hatchery, is it still OK to use crayfish traps there? Or are crayfish traps considered "fishing"?

Answer: No, you cannot use crayfish traps there. According to DFG Lt. Sam Castillo, in this particular area the law says, "Closed to all fishing all year" (California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 7.50(b)(68)(A)). The law is inclusive of all species and is not specific to just trout and salmon. Some other no-fishing areas will allow for the take of amphibians, fresh water clams, crayfish and lampreys under CCR Title 14, section 7.50(a)(2), but this isn't one of them.

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Losing heads while salmon fishing

After an evening of fundraising in Los Angeles at George Clooney's house that brought in nearly $15 million, President Barack Obama will touch down in Reno, Nev., on Friday to meet with a local family and talk about creating jobs and restoring middle class security. He is expected to call on Congress to cut red tape and allow homeowners who have been paying their mortgage on time to refinance at ...

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Obama to talk mortgages in Reno, Romney heads to North Carolina, plus more to watch for this weekend in politics

Food fans line up outside the taco truck. / FILE PHOTO When: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 27; rain or shine Where: Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport Admission: $3, children under 12 admitted free. Parking is $2. Food prices vary by vendor.

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'Food Truck Wars' heads for Monmouth Park

Yep, Boston has lost eight of its past 10 and is 12-19, in last place in the AL East. Its enough to make long-time Red Sox fans wear bags on their heads at Fenway. And thats what one fan did and now hes trending on Twitter, due mostly to the (false) report that he was thrown out of the stadium by the team for wearing the bag.

Meet Jon OHara, 25, known this morning as Bag Guy. The lifelong Red Sox fan from New Hampshire (who happens to be a standup comedian) became so disgusted with Bostons start to the 2012 season that he donned a paper bag for Thursdays game. His bag attire was caught on camera, and quickly hit social media. Then Bag Guy disappeared from his seat in the seventh inning, with many believing that he was tossed from the stadium by Sox security. This caused him to start trending to Twitter, at #FreeBagGuy.

OHara did several interviews following the game, and gave the real story.

I had it on until the sixth inning when someone behind me yelled out how long are you going to have that bag on your head. I said the whole game hopefully, and he said can you take it off? I paid $100 for the seat and cant see first base. I turned around and said I paid $4 and took the bag off.

Far from being mad at Bag Guy, Red Sox staff actually seemed amused.

They were all actually nice about it, OHara said of the Red Sox staff. The ushers were all laughing really hard. On the way out, they were shaking my hand and were like we hope to see you again.

So, will he see Bag Guy again at Fenway?

I probably wont for one reason. I was lucky to go to last nights game. My son is due any day, so Ill probably be taking games off to raise him, said OHara.

We may have seen the last of Bag Guy, but his legend will never die.

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Morning Mail: Red Sox fan wears bag on head, starts social media storm

Sparkly metallic gowns were all over the Met Ball red carpet -- see which stylish stars took part in the hot trend right here! Tons of stylish celebs turned heads in their gorgeous designer gowns at the 2012 Met Ball gala, but it was the stars in metallic who totally dominated the red carpet! A number of A-listers opted to shine in glittery gowns, including Jessica Alba, who stunned in Michael ...

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Met Ball 2012 Red Carpet: Stars Shine In Metallic Frocks

No other aid organization is as well-known as the Red Cross. It's even been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize more than once. The controversy is in the name - allegedly, a symbol of Christianity.

"Brain matter splatters from bursting heads, limbs are broken and crushed, bodies become formless masses. The earth is literally drenched with blood. And the plains are strewn with the unrecognizable remains of human beings," Swiss businessman Henry Dunant described the battle of Solferino in northern Italy that he witnessed on June 24, 1859.

It was one of the bloodiest clashes in the 19th century, and left thousands of Austrian and French soldiers dead, and tens-of-thousands wounded. Dunant was so shocked that he set up a military hospital in a near-by church, mobilizing the local population to help him care for the wounded.

A role model

Four years later, with the support of friends and politicians alike, Dunant founded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Within months, he managed to get 12 states to sign the 1st Geneva Convention for the protection of wounded soldiers. In 1901, he was awarded the very first Nobel Peace Prize. His birthday, May 8, is commemorated as "International Red Cross Day."

A mobile Red Cross hospital

Henry Dunant proposed a red cross on a white background as a uniform symbol and protective sign. It was not meant to be a symbol of Christianity, Frank Mohrhauer of the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) told DW: rather he was thinking of "the reverse colors of the Swiss national flag. In those days, people didn't take into account that symbols always trigger very strong emotions." Thus, the cross has been a cause for conflict from time to time throughout the organization's 149-year history.

Dispute over emblems

In the 1876-1878 war against Russia, the Ottoman Empire used a Red Crescent symbol, arguing that a red cross would offend the troops' religious feelings. The ICRC didn't object and both sides recognized the other's safety symbol.

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The power of a sign

Bruce Chen picked up his first victory of the season, Alcides Escobar drove in the go-ahead run and the Kansas City Royals held off the Boston Red Sox 4-3 last night.

Jonathan Broxton worked around a leadoff single and walk in the ninth inning for his seventh save in eight opportunities.

The Royals finished 4-3 on their homestand against Boston and the New York Yankees. The Red Sox have lost seven of eight after losing two of three to Kansas City.

Chen (1-4) gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking none. The Royals were winless in his first six starts this season.

The Royals beat Jon Lester (1-3) for the first time since Aug. 8, 2006. The left-hander came into the game with a 5-1 record and 1.30 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City, including a no-hitter in 2008.

Escobars double in the fourth scored Irving Falu, who led off the inning with a double, to put the Royals ahead 4-3.

Lesters pitch count rose early with a 38-pitch first inning, but 12 of those were after center fielder Marlon Byrds error led to three unearned runs.

Lester was pulled after 108 pitches and five innings, giving up four runs on six hits and a walk.

In the first inning, Byrd misjudged Johnny Giavotellas two-out liner and the ball ricocheted off his glove as he jumped for it. The misplay allowed Billy Butler, who had walked, to score.

Brayan Pena then hit a two-run double to left-center that Cody Ross nearly caught. Ross had his glove on the ball, but it came loose and hit the wall. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine debated Ross held onto the ball long enough the umpires held a conference on the field, but did not change the ruling.

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Royals 4, Red Sox 3: Two out of three is bad

The Duke and Duchess, who have just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, were guests at a dinner hosted by the elite Thirty Club at Claridges Hotel in Mayfair, London.

The cream, floor-length dress worn by the Duchess had a dramatic split up the front, which showed off her slim legs. It is understood to be by French designer Roland Mouret, although experts speculated it must be a special creation as it had not been seen on the catwalk.

Stepping out from her car carefully, she greeted waiting fans with a smile before walking the red carpet into the event.

The Royal couple were guests at a private event for the Thirty Club, established more than a century ago and made up of members of advertising and media.

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The Duchess of Cambridge turns heads with glamorous cream dress

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott have come together to promote the work of the Red Cross.

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Gillard, Abbott promote Red Cross

Baltimore Orioles' Adam Jones hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Photo: Michael Dwyer / AP

Baltimore Orioles' Adam Jones hits a two-run home run during the...

Baltimore Orioles' Jason Hammel pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Photo: Michael Dwyer / AP

Baltimore Orioles' Jason Hammel pitches in the first inning of a...

Baltimore Orioles' Mark Reynolds (12) can not catch a foul ball in in the stands during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Photo: Michael Dwyer / AP

Baltimore Orioles' Mark Reynolds (12) can not catch a foul ball in...

Boston Red Sox's Aaron Cook pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Boston, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Photo: Michael Dwyer / AP

Boston Red Sox's Aaron Cook pitches in the first inning of a...

Baltimore Orioles' Mark Reynolds (12) heads to the dugout after hitting a three-run home run that also drove in Wilson Betemit (24) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Photo: Michael Dwyer / AP

Baltimore Orioles' Mark Reynolds (12) heads to the dugout after...

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Reynolds and Hammel carry Orioles past Red Sox 8-2

When Blake Griffin ran onto the court to warm up before Game 3, his senses were overcome by the spectacle of an undulating and screaming sea of red.

"That was the loudest we had heard it," Griffin said of the sellout crowd of nearly 20,000 at Staples Center, many of whom had donned red Clippers T-shirts."Just that energy throughout our whole warmup, the intros, the start of the game, and then parts of the game it was unbelievable."

Chris Paul took it a step further.

"I think this is one of those games that the crowd won the game for us," he said.

Saturday afternoon was Griffin and Paul's first playoff game in Los Angeles, a city known for its celebrities, gorgeous beaches and relatively quiet sports arenas peopled with fans who are reputed to be too cool to yell their heads off.

That all changed in the Clippers' 87-86 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 3 of the teams' first-round Western Conference playoff series, a streaky game in which the Clippers fans spent much of their time standing and Staples Center decibel levels often escalated to piercing volumes.

"I've only been here for a year, but I hadn't seen anything like that," said Chris Paul, who led the Clippers with 24 points on eight-for-19 shooting and 11 assists.

The Clippers entered the fourth quarter trailing by eight, 72-64. Paul, one of the consummate closers in the league, said at that point he felt a responsibly to the fans to turn things around.

"Coming in here seeing all that red, seeing all the fans on their feet and cheering and celebrating we had no choice but to go out there and play hard and to fight," Paul said.

Paul went on to lead the Clippers with seven points in the final period, slicing his way though outstretched Grizzlies hands to give the Clippers a six-point lead with 23 seconds remaining.

The rest is here:

Red sea of Clippers fans lifts team to win

Siana Hristova / The Chronicle

Josh Kornbluth performs in the Bay Area debut of "White Rabbit, Red Rabbit," a play by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour, performed by an actor without rehearsal each time.

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit: Solo show. By Nassim Soleimanpour. Through May 20. San Francisco International Arts Festival, International Festival Lounge, 540 Sutter St., San Francisco. One hour. $12-$15, subject to change. (415) 771-6900, http://www.sfiaf.org.

Josh Kornbluth clutches the script tightly with both hands and throws himself into the unfamiliar words with customary earnest nervousness. Actor Sean San Jos attacks the same lines with edgy, restless verve, sitting, pacing, even climbing a ladder as he lets each finished page fall to the floor.

Each approach to Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour's "White Rabbit, Red Rabbit" contains its own unexpected rewards - and none will be repeated. One of the beauties of this captivatingly oddball declaration of artistic freedom is the diversity of the artists lined up to perform it in the San Francisco International Arts Festival.

Soleimanpour wrote it for just such a purpose. Denied a passport to leave Iran, because he'd refused military service, he defied Iran's cultural blockade by writing "Rabbit" in English and sending it out to be performed by others. It premiered last year at the Edinburgh Fringe and Toronto SummerWorks festivals and has already been performed in at least 15 countries in a variety of languages. (He was finally given a passport four months ago, but has yet to see the work performed.)

Every performance is unique - because each performer can do it only once, without having read, seen or heard a description of it before getting the script at the beginning of the show. The few prior instructions include the pronunciation of the author's name, a note about indicating departures from the script and a heads-up to be prepared to imitate an ostrich.

Yes, there are ostriches - and bears, cheetahs, crows and, of course, rabbits - as both narrative and metaphorical devices. There's also audience participation, of a (mostly) nonthreatening and peculiarly rewarding nature.

More significantly, there's a magnetic mind behind the prose. "Rabbit" is a lightly comic, deceptively discursive, metatheatrical monologue that - without, I hope, giving too much away - raises provocative questions about the nature of theater, social responsibility, personal freedoms, suicide and the "limits of obedience."

It's also so different in tone, emphasis and impact in the hands of different actors that it's a treat to see more than once. Kornbluth's and San Jos's back-to-back opening night shows - Friday in the intimate back room of the gallery that serves as the festival's gathering place - evoked remarkably distinct elements of and reactions to the script.

Read more:

'White Rabbit, Red Rabbit' review: never the same

Eight local high school boys were named all-state basketball honorees late Wednesday by the New York State Sportswriters Association. The Journal's Player of the Year, Red Hook senior Joe Stortini, was selected to the third team in Class A.

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Joe Stortini heads list of local all-state basketball players

The end of a rivalry.

This is what will happen Sunday in College Station when the Texas Tech and Texas A&M baseball series comes to an end.

These last three games will mark the final time any Tech and A&M team will compete against each other in regular season play as Big 12 Conference foes.

Despite this being the end of this rivalry, Tech head coach Dan Spencer said, he doesnt think the team will take a different approach into the weekend and are just looking to win a series.

I dont think so, he said. I think its an opportunity for us to play again, obviously, against good people on the road and its a conference game. I think theres enough meaning in that without getting into history and tradition and those things.

Both teams are coming into this game with some momentum, as the Red Raiders (26-22, 5-13 in Big 12 play) has won its last three games while the No. 9 Aggies (32-13, 11-7) have picked up three out of their last four, including a series win against Texas.

Tech boasts a solid lineup, as it is tied for second with a team batting average of .301. However, the team the Red Raiders are in a tie with is the Aggies, which could pose a problem for Tech since the ace of its pitching staff, Duke von Schamann, will not make his usual start because of a strained bicep. There is a possibility he could be used out of the bullpen though.

But, the person taking his place had a strong showing in his last outing.

In his last start, Rusty Shellhorn who will take von Schamanns Saturday start stymied Missouri by giving up just two hits without giving up a run in seven innings pitched, to pick up his fifth win of the season.

Even with Shellhorns strong last outing, Spencer said, he will only alleviate the teams loss of its ace if he duplicates his previous performance.

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Tech baseball heads to College Station for final time

Qipco 2,000 Guineas Venue: Newmarket Date: Saturday 5 May Time: 1510 BST

Coverage: BBC Radio 5 live. Results/report: BBC Sport website

Camelot heads a field of 18 for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday as trainer Aidan O'Brien seeks a sixth win in the first Classic of the season.

The trainer's 18-year-old son Joseph will ride the Racing Post Trophy winner, who is the ante-post favourite.

Stablemate Power, runner-up to Parish Hall in October's Dewhurst Stakes, is the mount of Ryan Moore.

Other leading hopes include Top Offer and Trumpet Major, but Dewhurst winner Parish Hall was not declared.

Parish Hall's trainer Jim Bolger had warned his colt would miss the race if the ground was too soft.

The Irish challenge does include Born To Sea, a half-brother to 2009 Guineas winner Sea The Stars, who went through his three-year-old campaign unbeaten before retiring as one of the all-time greats of Flat racing.

A strong contingent from France sees Abtaal, French Fifteen and Hermival all making the cross-Channel journey.

British champion trainer Richard Hannon is seeking his fourth 2,000 Guineas winner, but his first since Tirol in 1990, and saddles four hopefuls - Craven Stakes winner Trumpet Major, Bronterre, Coupe De Ville and Redact.

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Camelot heads 2,000 Guineas field

Red Bluff got the perfect tuneup, Wednesday, as it heads into this afternoon's showdown with rival Shasta.

The Lady Spartans blasted Lassen 13-0 on the road in a game stopped after five innings because of the mercy rule.

Samantha Jones went 3- for-3 with a triple, three RBIs and scored three runs herself to lead the Spartans.

Haley Harris also drove in three runs with a pair of doubles and scored twice.

Brittney Fletcher went 3- for-4 and drove in a pair of runs and scored one. Brooke Clatty, Morgan Weaver, Krista Rodriguez and Megan McColpin each had a pair of hits for Red Bluff.

McColpin drove in two runs and Clatty and Weaver drove in a run each.

Savanah Carrillo went 1- for-1 with a run scored.

McColpin pitched the first four innings, allowing just a pair of hits and Etzler took over in the fifth and struck out the side.

Red Bluff plays at Shasta at 4 p.m. today in an important game as far as home-field advantage in the Division-II playoffs goes.

--------- Rich Greene is the Daily News Sports Editor. He can be reached at sports@redbluffdailynews.com or 527-2151, extension 109. Follow him on Twitter: @TehamaSports

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Red Bluff Lady Spartans blast Lassen 13-0

The Red Sox continue to be plagued with injuries as Kevin Youkilis heads to the disabled list. By my count, the Red Sox have $77, 224,000 worth of major league talent on the disabled list:

Here are some rounded-off individual figures: Carl Crawford - $19.5M John Lackey - $15.25M Kevin Youkilis - $12M Daisuke Matsuzaka ? $10M Jacoby Ellsbury - $8.05M Bobby Jenks - $6M Andrew Bailey - $3.90M Andrew Miller - $1.04M Jason Repko - $600,000 Ryan Kalish - $483,000 Chris Carpenter - $482,000

So not exactly the easiest start health-wise for the Red Sox, who changed their medical and training staff in the offseason.

A few other observations:

* Adrian Gonzalez is struggling and we all know he will hit. Just wish he would run hard on a ground ball now and then. Big Papi does.

* My apologies to a reader, Reed from Chico, Calif., He made an observation a couple of weeks back:

"Ownership and upper management do the hiring, firing and most importantly, the signing of players and hiring staff members. So I don't want to hear that it's all Bobby Valentine's fault or just the player's fault. Thoughts?"

And I responded: "Bobby Valentine was the right hire. This is his 16th season as a manager in the major leagues. You don't last that long being a bad manager. It's incredible to me how unfair people like yourself are toward him. It's 15 games in and you've made up your mind. Amazing."

Obviously, Reed was on my side of the issue. Sorry, Reed.

* It was great working with Don Orsillo on a few of the NESN broadcasts last week with Jerry Remy out sick. Don't tell him, but he's really good. We wish Jerry a speedy recovery. He is missed.

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Ask Nick: Is something wrong with Gonzalez?

by Jeff Richards contributing writer Moab Times Independent

According to GCHS head coach Jared Meador, the Red Devils are the top-scoring high school baseball team in Utah.

In our last five games, we are 4-1, averaging nearly 11 runs per game over those games, while giving up under three runs a game, Meador said.

Playing April 28 at Richfield, the Red Devils fell behind 4-1 in the first inning. The Wolves rally came after the home-plate umpire called interference on Grand catcher Preston Walston, saying the batters bat had come into contact with Walstons glove during his swing. Instead of a strikeout, the batter was awarded first base. The bases were then loaded and North Sevier went on to score four runs that inning.

Undaunted, the Red Devils scored a run in the second inning to narrow the gap to 4-2, then exploded for eight runs in the third, with a bases-loaded grand slam home run by Walston capping off the dramatic rally.

It was on a 1-1 count, and it was a slider. I was ready for it, and made good contact with it, Walston said afterward. At first, I thought Id popped it up, but it went over the left-center fence.

It was Walstons second homer of the week and his third of the year. He drilled another home run during Grands convincing 22-0 victory over Monticello at Monticello on April 26.

Grand belted a total of 11 hits against North Sevier, including Walstons grand slam and one double each by Walston and Ryan Betts.

Looking ahead to Saturdays opening-round game against Millard, Meador said that while No. 1 seeded Millard has a tough left-handed pitcher in Dakota Bullock, he hopes Grands offensive prowess will come through.

Itll come down to their pitching versus our hitting, thats for sure, Meador said.

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Red Devils baseball team wins play-in game vs. North Sevier, heads to 2A tourney

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Asian Red Head - Video

20-11-2011 10:17 Excuse me, Captain Dick Head. Check out Theatre of Life on Nick's channel: Subscribe to BeckBennett, Nick, and GoodNeighborStuff: Shot by Eric Thompson: Edited by Brandon Perna --- Theatre Of Life, beckbennett, nick, goodneighborstuff, Venice Beach, sarcastic humor, weird, funny, dirty hippies, Lion King, gingers, day walkers, The Big Lebowski, tattoos, moms, black guys, wizards, witches, gay guys, Harry Potter, Wicked, red heads, bikers, the news, BJs, sand, California Raisin, Captain Dick Head, Big Bird, Sesame Street, Thanksgiving, turkey, turkeys

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