If you, a friend, or loved one has Original Medicare and needs certain medical equipment and supplies, you should know that Medicare is continuing its successful competitive bidding program, which has been in place for many areas throughout the country since July 1, 2013.

This program helps you save money and ensures that you have access to quality medical equipment and supplies from suppliers you can trust.

Under the program, Medicare awards contracts to suppliers of certain medical equipment and supplies every few years.

July 1, 2016 marks the start of a new contract period which can change the suppliers who are eligible to provide certain medical equipment and supplies in your area.

If you have Original Medicare, live in (or travel to) one of the competitive bidding areas and need equipment or supplies included under the program, you will likely need to use Medicare contract suppliers for Medicare to help pay for the item.

You’ll also need to continue to use a Medicare national mail-order contract supplier for Medicare to pay for diabetes testing supplies that are delivered to your home. To check if an item you use is included in the program, or to find out if you live in a ZIP code that’s part of the program, visit www.medicare.gov/supplierdirectory or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

If you’re already renting certain medical equipment or receiving oxygen or oxygen equipment, you can stay with your current supplier if they: 1) continue to be a contract supplier or 2) notify you that they chose to become a “grandfathered” supplier so you can continue renting your equipment and/or oxygen from them.

Your supplier will notify you if you will not be able to continue renting your equipment or oxygen from them after July 1.

This notification will be provided to you within 30 days of the start of the new contract period to allow time for you to transition to a contract supplier who will be able to rent the equipment or oxygen to you.

Make sure to let your friends and loved ones know about these changes.

If you have questions or want more information, Medicare has resources to help you understand the program, including www.medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), your plan will notify you if your supplier is changing. Contact your plan for more information.

This information is provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Born Oct. 26, 1936, passed on May 17, 2016, in Clearlake after a long illness.

She is survived by her children: Crystal Goszulak, Danny Cano and Joe Cano; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her brother’s family, Ken Whitney and sister June Whitney-Scopack and family.

Lyndy grew up in Lake County and had many friends. She loved horses, dogs and hunting.

Lyndy was an original, she worked hard, loved life and Lake County. She will be missed …

SACRAMENTO – In its continued effort to reduce fraud against its cleanup programs, the State Water Resources Control Board has launched a new Web page listing businesses and persons disqualified from State Water Board programs, including the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund.

The new Web page lists disqualified businesses and persons and the State Water Board programs for which they are no longer permitted to perform work. The disqualifications are the result of allegations of fraud against the Cleanup Fund.

Senate Bill 445, passed on Sept. 25, 2014, authorizes additional safeguards to fight fraud against the Cleanup Fund.

The law gives the State Water Board the authority to disqualify consultants, as well as claimants, from participating in the Cleanup Fund; impose penalties of up to $500,000 per violation; recover costs for investigation and prosecution; and prosecute cases administratively.

“The Web page provides the public with vital details about the disqualifications. People working on projects required or funded by the Water Boards now have an important tool for evaluating entities with whom they do business,” said Cris Carrigan, director of the Office of Enforcement. “This one-stop summary is a testament to our efforts on cracking down on fraud, waste and abuse.”

For information on the State Water Board’s efforts to prevent, investigate and prosecute cases of fraud against the Cleanup Fund, see the fact sheet.

Reporting suspected fraud against the Cleanup Fund is easy.

Report by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , toll-free phone at 1-855-263-0863, or by mailing or faxing a Fraud Reporting Complaint Form to the State Water Board at: State Water Board, Office of Enforcement, P.O. Box 100, Sacramento, CA 95812, fax 916-341-5896.

The Fraud Reporting Complaint Form is online at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/ustcf/docs/fraudcomplaint_form.pdf .

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Northshore Community Center is having an “I Love Lucy' doll silent auction on Saturday, June 4.

The auction will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center, located at 3985 Country Club Drive in Lucerne.

There is no charge to enter and everyone gets a chance at the door prize.

All dolls included in the auction are collectible quality, in mint condition and Barbie-sized.

The auction will include many dolls from special episodes of Lucille Ball's famed television show.

Others will be Cher, James Dean, Janis Joplin, Bewitched, Carol Burnett, nine new “I Love Lucy” episode DVDS, numbered collectible plates, an “I Love Lucy” book, other collectibles, and Barbies from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

This will be a silent auction venue, with door prize and raffle items available such as an Avon exclusive Bob Mackie Sterling Silver Rose Barbie, James Dean diecast car and Hallmark Keepsake Ornament of Lucy. Other items available are tins, tin signs, and other related collectibles.

Bring the whole family to this child friendly event. Treats, coffee and drinks will be available for sale.

This is a great opportunity to get rare collectibles for yourself or as gifts. All sales are cash, as is the raffle. A list of dolls available is available.

All proceeds benefit Northshore Community Center, a not-for-profit serving the Northshore for families and senior populations with on-site lunches, Meals on Wheels, personal advocacy, activities, food pantry and other services.

Call the center at 707-274-8779 for more information.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Arts Council-supported Writers’ Circle has increased in size during the last six months.

This success limits the time available for each participant during the first Thursday of each month meeting at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport.

Effective June 2, the Writers’ Circle will begin at 6 p.m. – rather than 6:30 p.m. – and will run until 8:30 p.m. as usual.

This expansion, and some tightening of the current evening’s format, will allow each writer time to read and respond to questions and suggestions. 

The Arts Council has graciously allowed the circle to borrow additional chairs from the forthcoming summer Youth Arts Program to seat all comers. Author and editor K C Patrick will facilitate this session.

The Writers Circle continues a 10-year tradition of encouragement and support for writers of all genres: personal journals, online blogging, fiction and nonfiction reporting and storytelling.

Writers of all skill levels are welcomed and encouraged. There is no charge for attending and no registration is required.

California's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) is accepting grant proposals for projects that enhance wildlife habitat and environmental restoration.
 
The funds come from OSPR's Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF), which originates from oil spill violations, in accordance with California's Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act.
 
Multiple projects may be selected, with available funding up to $200,000; typically past grant recipients have been awarded between $50,000 to $100,000. Multi-year projects are also considered.
 
To qualify, an environmental enhancement project must acquire habitat for preservation or improve habitat quality and ecosystem function. In addition, it must meet all of the following requirements:
 
– Be located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state.
– Have measurable outcomes within a predetermined timeframe.
– Be designed to acquire, restore, or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function, or both, to benefit fish and wildlife.

"It's great to be part of an environmental restoration program that makes a difference," said OSPR Environmental Scientist Bruce Joab. "We're proud that our Environmental Enhancement Fund projects have helped improve California's habitats."
 
The California Coastal Conservancy and National Fish and Wildlife Federation will join OSPR in selecting the winning recipients.
 
Disbursement of the grants is contingent on the availability of funds in the EEF.
 
Grant applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2016.

To contact the grant coordinator, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information, visit https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/OSPR/Science/Environmental-Enhancement-Fund/About .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Ron was born June 25, 1954, in Lake Charles, LA, and passed away May 24, 2016, in St. Helena at the age of 61.

Ron is preceded in life by his parents Robert Young and Rose Marie Thierry-Barrick. Ron leaves behind his spouse of 42 years, Remell Kitchen of Santa Rosa, Calif.; sons, Brian Kitchen (Lindsey), Ronald James Young Jr. and Nicholas David Young, all from Santa Rosa; loving stepmother, Anna Young of Santa Rosa; brothers, Michael Wayne Young Sr. (Michele) of Salem, Ore., and Gregory Young Sr. (Belinda) of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.; sisters: Vondina Young of Salem, Lisa Gay Young of Salem and Stephanie Young-Molteni (Mathew) of Santa Rosa; four grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, May 27, at 1 p.m. at Jones and Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, 16140 Main St. in Lower Lake.

A celebratory luncheon will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Hidden Valley Lake Golf Course-Greenview Room, 19210 Hartmann Road, Hidden Valley Lake.

Ronald will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Santa Rosa at a later date.

May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for older adults, who are a growing and increasingly vital part of our society.

The contributions they make to our communities are varied, deeply rooted and include influential roles in the nation’s economy, politics and the arts.

From 84-year-old actress Rita Moreno to 69-year-old NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Jr. to 83-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who took her seat as a Supreme Court Justice at age 60, older adults are blazing trails in all aspects of American life.

Since 1963, communities across the country have shown their gratitude by celebrating Older Americans Month each May.

Led by the Administration for Community Living, the annual observance offers the opportunity to learn about, support and celebrate our nation’s older citizens.

This year’s theme, “Blaze a Trail,” emphasizes the ways older adults are reinventing themselves through new work and new passions, engaging their communities, and blazing a trail of positive impact on the lives of people of all ages.

The Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties pays tribute to seniors each year – especially during the month of May – and affirms the accomplishments and skills of older adults living in Lake and Mendocino counties.

As the Baby Boomers reach retirement age, our communities have increased their efforts to provide meaningful opportunities for older adults – many of whom remain socially and physically active through their 80s and beyond.

Current trends show that people over age 60 account for an ever-growing percentage of volunteers in community service positions, faith-based organizations, online social networking as well as arts and recreational groups.

According to the Administration on Aging, approximately 40 million senior adults – people 65 years or older – live in the U.S., comprising nearly 15 percent of the total population.

One of every eight Americans is a senior citizen, and this number is expected to reach over 72 million older persons by the year 2030.

As part of Older Americans Month and in keeping with the theme of “Blaze a Trail,” we encourage everyone to get involved.

One way to blaze that trail is to donate your time. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is always looking for volunteers, as is the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee.

Be a trailblazer! Join in promoting activities, inclusion and wellness for older Americans in our community.

For more information, please contact Lake County Department of Social Services Adult Services office at 707-995-4680.

Todd Metcalf is the Adult Services program manager at Lake County Department of Social Services in Lake County, Calif.