The Area Agency on Aging of Lake and Mendocino Counties and local senior centers are joining communities nationwide in celebrating this month with special activities and

This year’s Older Americans Month theme – “Age Strong! Live Long!” – recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans who span three generations.

They have lived through wars and hard times, as well as periods of unprecedented prosperity. They pioneered new technologies in medicine, communications, and industry while spearheading a cultural revolution that won equal rights for minorities, women, and disabled Americans.

These remarkable achievements demonstrate the strength and character of older Americans, and underscore the debt of gratitude we owe to the generations that have given our society so much. But the contributions of older Americans are not only in the past.

Older Americans are living longer and are more active than ever before. And with the aging of the baby boomer generation – the largest in our nation’s history – America’s senior population is expected to number 71.5 million by 2030.

While keeping the growing population of older Americans healthy and active will increase the demand for senior services, what is remarkable is the extent to which older Americans themselves are supporting each other. As the new generations of seniors become better educated and more financially secure than their predecessors, they are spending more time making significant contributions in their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities.

In fact, older Americans are a core component of service delivery to seniors – embodying and modeling the drive to Age Strong! Live Long! They volunteer at group meal sites and deliver food to homebound seniors; they act as escorts and provide transportation for older adults who cannot drive; they help seniors with home repair, shopping and errands; and they provide vital counseling, information and referral services. Their energy and commitment reminds all Americans – not just senior citizens and their caregivers – to do their part to enhance the quality of life for older generations.

The annual commemoration of Older Americans Month is our opportunity to recognize the contributions of older citizens and join them in providing services and support that empower the elderly. Americans of all ages and backgrounds can volunteer with programs that improve health literacy, increase access to quality health services, offer food and nutrition services, provide financial and housing counseling, sponsor social activities and community engagement, and more.

For information on Older Americans Month activities and events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of Lake and Mendocino Counties at 707-463-7775. Find out what you can do to strengthen services for older Americans, this month and all year round.

KELSEYVILLE – Doug Rhoades, candidate for Lake County district attorney, will have a meeting of friends at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro on Main Street in Kelseyville on Saturday, May 1, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Enjoy wine, food, and entertainment provided by Richard Peregrina of Upper Lake.

Guests will enjoy wines from Wildhurst, Shannon Ridge and other local wineries, while sharing information about the upcoming race for district attorney.

Tickets are available at the door for $25 each, to help support Rhoades' campaign.

Have a great afternoon, enjoy the food, drink and music, and help support the next district attorney.

Tickets are available in advance by calling 707-279-9769, or pledging $25 per ticket via the Web site at www.dougrhoadesforda.com.

As always, the committee appreciates your support and encouragement. Signs in support of his candidacy will be available at the event as well.

Visit Rhoades' Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doug-Rhoades-for-Lake-County-District-Attorney/109154492448095?ref=ts.

LAKEPORT – The 4-H Blue Herons Club invites the community to a used book sale on Sunday, May 2.

The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Big Valley Grange, 1510 Big Valley Road, Lakeport.

Enjoy breakfast and help a good cause.

All proceeds benefit the Lake Family Resource Center.

CLEARLAKE – The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be bringing its Maynard Albertson Memorial Cruise-In and Car Show to the City of Clearlake and Lake County on Mother's Day Weekend, May 7 to 9.

The event will feature 1973 and earlier hot rods, rat rods, and muscle cars.

The main attractions for the weekend are a “show and shine,” a cruise along Lakeshore Drive, and music from notable artists such as Bill Noteman and the Rockets, LC Diamonds and The Surfaris.

Also planned is a poker run/charm run around the lake with a special emphasis on moms.

Sponsor and vendor information, car show registration and visitor information can all be found at www.ClearlakeCruiseIn.com or by calling Lori Peters, chamber executive director, at 707-994-3600.

LAKEPORT – There will be a second Tea Party Candidates Night on Wednesday, April 28, starting at 6 p.m.

All Lake County citizens are welcome to attend.

The purpose of this meeting is to give the citizens of the community a chance to hear from local candidates and to have the opportunity to ask them questions.

The meeting will be held at Rancho De La Fuente, 2290 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.

Candidates in attendance from the following races will be:

• Superintendent of Schools – Wally Holbrook and Judy Luchsinger;

• Supervisor, District 2 – Joyce Overton and Jeff Smith;

• Supervisor, District 3 – Robert Hesterberg and Gary Lewis (Denise Rushing is unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict).

This event is being sponsored by the Lake County Tea Party Patriots. The Lake County Tea Party Patriots is a grassroots group that believes in fiscal responsibility, following the Constitution, free markets and educating the citizens of the community.

The group is nonpartisan who will not endorse any candidates.

Each candidate will have five minutes to promote themselves.

After all candidates have made their statements, the rest of the evening is devoted to the citizens and the questions they want to ask.

All questions must be asked in a respectful manner. This is not a debate or an evening for confrontation.

For further information, please contact Tea Party Leader Susie Kaplar at 707-661-803-1526.