Registration, a putting contest and a silent auction display will begin at 10 a.m.; shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. and a barbecue dinner follows at 5:30 p.m.

The tournament will benefit a new Ambulatory Patient Activity Room at Redbud Community Hospital, to be used by patients who have moved from “acute” nursing status to short-term transitional care.

“The tournament features several contests with some great prizes,” said Fitch, who chairs the committee. It is in a scramble format with A and B flights and four players per team.

The cost is $125 per player, $85 for Hidden Valley Lake members, and includes green fees, cart, tee prizes, a goody bag, a golf shirt and dinner.

For more information or to register call 707-274-1475 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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CLEARLAKE – Redbud Family Health Center now offers a free program for eligible women enrolled in Medi-Cal that is designed to help newborns in the community get off to a bright and healthy start.

The program, called Bright Start, offers a unique approach to well-baby care that combines a broad range of free services provided by a dedicated staff of physicians, nurses and counselors. Bright Start is part of the state’s Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program.

“The primary goal of Bright Start is to help moms take the best care possible of themselves during pregnancy so they have healthy babies,” said Michele Orpustan, perinatal health worker at Redbud Family Health Center. “This is a very comprehensive program that we tailor to each individual. We’re very fortunate to have a complete clinic here. All services, including dental care, are available onsite.”

Staff will help eligible women sign up for Medi-Cal while at the Redbud Family Health Center, an affiliate of Redbud Community Hospital.

Participants – which include pregnant women and mothers of newborns – start the program with a private, confidential interview to assess their needs and follow-up services that include:

• Maternity care from a physician and a midwife.

• Information about pregnancy, childbirth, baby care and breastfeeding provided through classes and individual visits. Available classes include a four-session series on childbirth led by labor and delivery nurses.

• Guidance on healthy eating during pregnancy.

• Information about where to go for financial help, food programs, and housing assistance.

• Guidance with alcohol and drug abuse issues.

• Non-judgmental counseling and support with personal problems.

Bright Start’s incentive program creates additional encouragement for mothers to participate. Participants receive a $5 credit per visit toward the purchase of baby clothes, towels, teddy bears, diapers and other infant-related items at the center’s onsite merchandise store. The credits also can be saved toward the purchase of larger, more expensive items or used for gasoline and bus vouchers if transportation to appointments is a problem.

Participants also are entered into a monthly raffle for infant car seats and baby quilts that have been made, and generously donated, by Thimbles and Hoops, a group of women affiliated with the First Baptist Church in Clearlake Oaks.

“We’re trying to make this program as attractive and accessible as possible,” Orpustan said. “This incentive program is really the icing on the cake.”

The Bright Start program is located in the Redbud Family Health Center, 15230 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake. Hours are: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information and appointments, call 995-4500.

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Congressman Mike Thompson and California advocates from the National Breast Cancer Coalition on April 30. The group presented Thompson with a certificate of excellence for his perfect record of support. Courtesy photo.

WASHINGTON – On April 30, Congressman Mike Thompson was recognized by California advocates from the National Breast Cancer Coalition for his perfect record of support.

During a meeting in his Capitol Hill office, the National Breast Cancer Coalition advocates, including two women from the First Congressional District, presented him with a certificate of excellence.

“Each year, tens of thousands of American women die from breast cancer,” said Thompson. “As we work toward a cure, we must do everything we can to promote early detection and invest in effective treatments. I am proud to be recognized by the National Breast Cancer Coalition, and look forward to continuing our partnership in the fight against breast cancer.”

In addition to consistently supporting breast cancer prevention and detection legislation, he is the author of the Medicare Early Detection of Cancer Promotion Act, which will waive co-pays for colonoscopy and mammography services.

“The vast majority of cancer diagnoses and deaths happen to older Americans, so we should make it as easy as possible for seniors to get regular cancer screenings,” said Thompson.

Sixty percent of new cancer diagnoses and 70 percent of cancer deaths occur in people over 65. “Co-pays for these services create a barrier to care,” added Thompson. “If we eliminate the co-pays, more seniors will get screened, saving lives and money.”

Currently, beneficiaries pay no coinsurance for most cancer screening services covered by Medicare, but they must pay a 20 percent co-pay for colonoscopy and mammography services. This legislation will eliminate co-pays for mammograms and colonoscopies, prompting more seniors to utilize these live-saving services.

Thompson’s legislation also extends the eligibility period for the “Welcome to Medicare” visit from the current time frame of six months to one year.

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“Freedom from Smoking,” the leading smoking cessation program in the United States for more than 25 years, shows participants how to quit smoking for good in a supportive setting.

Participants meet weekly with a small group of people so everyone attending gets personal attention.

No two smokers are alike, so the program helps everyone create their own quit plan. Because support of others is important while quitting, being with a group who understands the challenges of quitting helps at a time when support is most needed.

“Freedom from Smoking” will be taught by Joy Swetnam, a nationally certified cessation trainer.

The eight weekly classes will begin on Monday, May 5, and will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport. The cost is only $50 for the course and includes all program materials and refreshments.

For more information, and to register for the classes call Joy Swetnam or Michael Rupe, Lake Family Resource Center, at 262-1611 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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