LAKEPORT, Calif. – Branch 168 of the Sons In Retirement (SIRs) held their monthly luncheon in the Conference Center of Konocti Vista Casino on Friday Oct. 11.

The guest speaker was Jessica Windrem, a community health educator working under a Community Transformation Grant, with the goal of promoting Lake County's “Climb to the Peak of Health.”

The grant was awarded to St. Helena Hospital in Clearlake by the Center for Disease Control.

Windrem presented a handful of compelling health statistics, including the fact that of the 58 counties in the state, Lake County was at the bottom with the poorest health due to death from all causes. These include deaths due to lung cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, liver disease and cirrhosis, drug overdoses and suicide.

The statistics have been age-adjusted, which means they cannot be attributed to the fact that Lake County has a higher senior population.

She also explained that “Climb to the Peak of Health” is addressing four key areas: decreasing tobacco use; increasing emotional well-being; increasing access to healthy school menus and increasing physical activity.

Windrem went on to say that they plan to launch a physical activity challenge in January to take advantage of new year resolutions.

She encouraged SIRs members to form walking groups or, at the minimum, just routinely take a walk around the block.

Windrem also encouraged them to work with senior centers to provide more physical activity opportunities.

Turning to regular business, Jim Carey, the Golf Chairman, reported that the tournament at Teal Bend was a big success with 35 members participating.

Carey also reminded members that there are only two tournaments remaining: Arbuckle, Oct. 23, and the turkey shoot at Hidden Valley Lake on Nov. 6.

Bob Specht, the chair of the travel committee, announced that more than half the seats for the Christmas shopping “Safari” have been filled. This is a bus trip on Nov. 19 to the Vacaville outlet stores and the cost is $25 per person.

Pickups are at the Riviera Hills Country Club and the McDonalds in Clearlake. Special discounts are available to seniors on that date.

Specht also reported that Branch 133 is sponsoring a three-day, two-night Yuletide experience, Dec. 4-6.

For $172 per person double occupancy ($207 single), the trip includes bus transportation, a two-night stay at the Eldorado Hotel in Reno, two breakfast buffets, a Christmas cocktail party and the dinner show “Ice Fantasy” in the Eldorado showroom. The show combines the excitement of championship figure skating with the thrill of cirque acts.

For more information about either of these events call Bob at 707-279-0187, Bill at 707-277-8846 or Dick at 707-994-5381.

Dean Faris, the “Big SIR” announced that the Christmas party will be held on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the Konocti Vista Casino.

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who are pursuing the goal of enjoying their later years. It has 142 branches with 18,000 members throughout the state.

Branch 168 holds a Luncheon on the second Friday of each month at the conference room at Konocti Vista Casino.

Anyone interested in learning more about Sons In Retirement is encouraged to contact Larry Powers, chair of the Membership committee, at 707-263-3403, or to visit the state Web site at www.sirinc.org .