SAN FRANCISCO – Personal stories last year of Senator Kennedy and American Idol winner David Cook’s brother have been heard around the nation. It’s time to give a voice to the people in your community who have lost a loved one and need help today.

The Bay Area unites to fight brain tumors on Saturday, May 1.

Over 2,500 will gather for a 5K walk through scenic Golden Gate Park to raise awareness and essential funds at the National Brain Tumor Society’s Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk (www.BayAreaWalk.org).

In 1995, a motivated brain tumor survivor named Chris Kuchera Hemker organized a small fundraising event on Angel Island. The event was simply called The Angel Island Adventure.

Although Chris succumbed to complications from her tumor in 1996, her vision and passion to help find a cure for brain tumors live on.

Now called Brain Tumor Walk, the event has grown into a far-reaching national program taking place in eight cities around the country.

This year marks the 16th anniversary of the Brain Tumor Walk. Last year, participants helped to raise over $730,000 to fund innovative research for brain tumor treatments and support services for brain tumor patients and their families.

Each year, more than 210,000 adults and children in the United States are diagnosed with a brain tumor. Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under age 20 and the second leading cause of cancer death in young adults age 20 to 39.

“The Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk is a chance for the entire community to come together and support the fight against brain tumors,” said N. Paul TonThat, executive director of National Brain Tumor Society. “Donations from the Brain Tumor Walk enable us to fund innovative research and support for those already coping with a brain tumor diagnosis. The Walk also raises awareness that brain tumors can strike anyone, and there is still no cure.”

Activities include an opening program, followed by a 5K walk through beautiful and scenic Golden Gate Park, an escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Families, friends, and co-workers will rally together to participate in this fundraising walk and community day including food, music, prizes, and more. Proceeds support research and patient services at the National Brain Tumor Society.

National Brain Tumor Society is a nonprofit organization inspiring hope and providing leadership within the brain tumor community. The group exists to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by brain tumors. They fund strategic research, deliver support services, and promote collaboration. In 2009, NBTS funded more than $3.5 million to brain tumor research across North America.

Learn about their latest advocacy efforts, comprehensive online community, targeted adult and pediatric brain tumor research programs, and more at www.braintumor.org.

LAKEPORT – Are you a senior 55-plus with a lifetime of experience to share? Would you like to give back to other seniors and learn how to age gracefully yourself?

The Senior Peer Counseling program of Konocti Senior Services Inc. is accepting applications for the spring volunteer training for this enriching opportunity to help seniors talk through a discouraging time, access services, cope with losses and adapt to the challenges of older age.

Volunteers will share their experiences with other inspirational volunteers, engage in lively discussions and receive weekly training in the gifts and challenges of aging.

Volunteers will learn skills such as compassionate listening, strategic coping and clear communicating.

They will learn the secrets of increasing peace of mind, reducing stress, recovering from a loss, building healthy relationships and exploring the spiritual advantages of later life.

As a volunteer, you will spend a total of about four hours a week with clients and attending a group supervision session in Lakeport or Clearlake.

They are now accepting a limited number of applications for volunteers throughout Lake County for this free training facilitated by licensed psychotherapist Kim Baughan Young MFT, clinical consultant; which includes experiential practice, movie clips, lively group discussion and even free lunches!

The training will be held on three successive Fridays beginning May 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Konocti Senior Support’s Senior Peer Counseling program has helped hundreds of Lake County seniors and is rapidly expanding, so please call Konocti Senior Services Inc. now for your application at 707-995-1417.

Pictured from left to right Donna Wood, Westwind Mobile Home Resort manager; Donald Morris, maintenance technician; Bette Marston, assistant manager; and county Public Services Director Kim K. Clymire. Courtesy photo.

LOWER LAKE – In honor of the recent celebration of Earth Day, County Public Services Director Kim K. Clymire recently met with the Westwind Mobile Home Park staff management and presented them with a certificate of appreciation.

The Lake County Public Services Department honored the park and its staff for their successful efforts in recycling approximately 15 tons of paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastics, metals, green waste and other recyclable materials annually.

Clymire said he was impressed by the Westwind Mobile Home Resort staff and residents for their unselfish and exemplary volunteer efforts to help reduce the park's waste stream that will help to save our natural resources and extend the life of the county's landfill.

He went on to say that he is appreciative of all Lake County’s residents and businesses that recycle because they are contributing to Lake County’s successful recycling programs.

Clymire thanked Bob Pestoni and his staff at South Lake Refuse and Recycling Company for providing the extra recycling bins for the Westwind Mobile Home Resort residents' recycling needs.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding any of Lake County’s recycling programs please contact the Public Services Department at 707-262-1760.

CLEARLAKE – A fundraising event for the Adult Daycare Program in Clearlake will be held this Wednesday, April 28.

The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at D J's Pizza, 1635 Main St., at the corner of Highway 29 and Highway 53 in Lower Lake.

The requested tax-deductible donation is $8 per person.

Students from Carlé High School will serve the meal.

Tickets are available at Valley Glass, 6820 Old Highway 53, D J's Pizza, Highway 29 and Highway 53, St. John's Lutheran Church on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or call Eva Johnson at 707-279-4836.

LOWER LAKE – The Lower Lake Historical School Preservation Committee will hold its annual Treasures and Trash Sale on Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum, 16435 Main Street, Lower Lake.

Small appliances, tools, books, live plants and gently used household and kitchen goods will fill the auditorium for this one-day, rain or shine event.

Donations are welcome for the sale.

To donate items, please contact the museum during regular business hours, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, 707-995-3565. No large appliances or clothing please.