HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – What started as supply run for victims of the Valley fire last September came full circle recently as a Lake County elementary school hosted its first ever game of cricket.

Inspired by the good deeds of his club mates Caen Healy, a senior at Napa High School, arranged to put on a cricket match at Coyote Valley Elementary School as part of his senior project.

The story starts on Sunday morning, Sept. 13, 2015, when many in the Napa Valley woke to the news of the Valley fire.

Members of the Napa Valley Cricket Club learned that many residents from Lake County had been evacuated to the Calistoga Fairgrounds, where the club plays its games.

Through local members on the ground in Calistoga and social media it became obvious to the club that supplies were needed in Calistoga. While many people were making offers of items in various online social media conversations there was no way to get the supplies to where they were needed.

The cricket club hastily arranged a drop-off point in north Napa and got the word out about this via email, text and social media. By 2 p.m. that afternoon they had sent seven vehicles north to Calistoga with food and water supplies, blankets, sleeping bags, canopies, clothing, animal crates and much more.

Included in the supply run were care packages individually hand made by club member Emma Brown and these somehow made their way to the doorsteps of homes in Middletown after the fire had been quelled.

Some online sleuthing by one of these recipients, Middletown resident and Napa Valley Cricket Club Principal Shane Lee, led him to the club's Web site and a subsequent phone call to express his gratitude for their generous thoughts and actions.

Fast-forward a few months as Healy is working through his senior project at Napa High. “I was writing a paper for my senior project on 'Developing cricket in non-traditional markets' and I was looking for a way to do this locally.”

He added, “The Napa Valley Cricket Club is now well established here in the Napa Valley and has been very supportive in my efforts to found the Napa High Cricket Club, but I wanted to reach beyond that. They suggested I contact the folks up at Coyote Valley Elementary School and arrange to come visit and show them the game of cricket. And that’s what I did.”

Sixth grade teacher Jeff Herman jumped at the opportunity to expose his class to the game of cricket. Herman had himself been exposed to the game years ago while living in Stellenbosch, South Africa and knew about the etiquette of the game, and its traditions. In addition he wanted to expose the students to something new, to help broaden their minds and allow them to see, and play, the second most popular sport in the world.

Healy started in the classroom where he showed the students a video about cricket, especially for Americans, as it compares and contrasts cricket and baseball. A handout for each student allowed him or her a visual understanding of the game and prompted many interesting questions.

Healy passed around cricket balls and cricket equipment including his helmet, a bat, gloves, and pads so that the interested students could touch and feel real cricket equipment.

After the question and answer session it was time to head outside. The class was broken into three groups for practice drills: fielding (throwing and catching); bowling (think pitching in baseball); and batting. Once the basic skills had been mastered it was time for a game.

The class was then broken in two teams – the A’s and the Giants – and they batted in pairs for 2 overs (2 x 6 balls) while every student got a chance to bowl one over (6 balls). The game finished right as the buses pulled up to take the sixth graders home and all of them had been part of history having just played in the first ever cricket match in Lake County!

Healy took the structure for the day from a program run by Napa Valley Cricket Club President Phil Bourke at Vichy Elementary School, Napa, in 2015, which proved highly successful, and hopes to use it in the future as he is keen to continue to be an ambassador for the game he loves and has played for the last 11 years.

The equipment used on the day came to Healy from the United States Youth Cricket Association, based on the East Coast, which had generously sent two full cricket sets that Healy presented to the school so that the students could continue to play the game.

“It’s been a great experience coming to Coyote Valley Elementary School and watching the kids learn about the game of cricket, a game that I love. Cricket is growing in America and soon there will be a large program of outreach into schools all over the country so it was great to be part of that push to de-

mystify the game and show the kids how much fun it is as a game. Shane and Jeff at Coyote Valley Elementary School were great in accommodating me for this part of my senior project and I’m grateful to them for their time in getting everything arranged.”

Healy plans to continue his own cricket playing this year with the NVCC as they play 11 games over the course of 2016.

After graduation this June he plans to attend Napa Valley College before taking up a place at Boston University in their Economics program in the fall of 2017.

It’s important to know candidates’ views on issues that can impact one’s district, including the views of candidates not in one’s particular district.

That’s why I’m supporting Monica Rosenthal.

Not only does she have experience, wide recognition and qualifications for the job but she additionally has the drive, energy and compassion for the job.

In addition she’s proven her true concern by having been and is involved with a variety of local non-profit organizations, where she’s shared her time and expertise.

On June 7 vote for Monica.

Pat Meyer lives in Cobb, Calif.

Worldwide Healing Hands thanks the many participants, sponsors and other supporters who helped make this year’s Hike 4 Healing fundraiser a fun and successful event.

We are especially grateful to our Diamond sponsors ($1,000 donated): St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, Dr. Marlene Quilala and John Clarke; our Gold sponsors ($500): Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Derrick and Alisa Barnes, Don and Anthy O’Brien, Top Speed Data Communication, Drs. Elyse and Keith Donald, and Dr. Ming-teh Chen; and our Silver sponsors ($250): Dr. Diane Pege, Dr. Corey and Amber Warner, Nicole Hill (X2nSat) and Dina Hutton. We thank the numerous additional donors and supporters who contributed financial and in-kind assistance to this year’s event.

Our hike could not have happened without the assistance of the county of Lake, Kelseyville Fire Department (especially crew members Tyler Nolan, EMT, and Matt Copenhaver, Paramedic), Foods Etc. (owners Dennis and Ruth Darling) who donated snacks and water for our participants, docents Tom and Val Nixon and their crew of docents, People Services and van drivers Ilene Dumont and Margaurite Alves, Mountain Vista Middle School, Nathan DeHart for his willingness to hike and photograph the journey and our many volunteers. We are extremely grateful to all.

Thank you, enthusiastic Hike 4 Healing participants, for joining us on a windy yet beautiful trek up Mount Konocti for our third year raising money to benefit the work of Worldwide Healing Hands in its efforts to improve health care of women and children in Haiti and Uganda during 2016. Your support also benefits homeless and impoverished individuals in Lake County, where Worldwide Healing Hands volunteer teams conduct free health screenings in various locations intermittently through the year.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to you joining us next year!

Susan Stout is administrative assistant for Worldwide Healing Hands, based in Kelseyville, Calif.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Habitat for Humanity Lake County celebrated the dedication of its 19th home build in Clearlake on Saturday.

The O’Keefe family was welcomed into their new home by family, friends and Habitat staff.

Joe O’Keefe, the new homeowner, said of the opportunity, “I never thought I’d be able to provide a home like this for my family. This opportunity is the best thing that has ever happened to us.”

His wife Amber added, “We are so excited and blessed to have this chance with Habitat to give our children a home. It was a lot of hard work, but totally worth it.”
 
Habitat for Humanity Lake County partners with qualified, low-income families to build safe, decent, affordable houses.

If you or someone you know has a housing need and would like to learn more, visit www.lakehabitat.org , come by the Lower Lake office at 16285 A. Main St. or call 707-994-1100 for more information or a pre-application. Applications are being accepted now.

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.

SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith says you don’t have to be perfect to improve your health, but you can strive to be better.

“Be Better” is the new CDPH “Champions for Change” campaign unveiled Wednesday during a Sacramento River Cats game at Raley Field in West Sacramento.

“‘Be Better’ is a reminder that even small steps can make a difference in improving your health,” said Dr. Smith. “Take the stairs, snack on fruits and veggies, and quench your thirst with water instead of soda – these are simple ways that we can all be better to enjoy better health.”

“There’s no greater way to celebrate the launch of this important campaign than by showing how even the seventh-inning stretch is an opportunity to be better,” said River Cats General Manager Chip Maxson. “Our players were happy to join ‘Champions for Change’ in coming up with this fun activity for our fans and creating a new healthy baseball tradition right here at Raley Field.”

The “Be Better” campaign promotes new federal dietary guidelines that recommend Americans focus on making small shifts in what they eat and drink to prevent chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Having a normal weight reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 70 percent.

The “Be Better” campaign will include English and Spanish ads on television and radio stations, billboards and Web banners. There will also be community-level promotions coordinated with local health departments.

The ads will feature “Champions for Change” – real people who have committed to be better for themselves and their families by being more active, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, and eating more fruits and vegetables.

More information about how you can become a “Champion for Change,” including how you can “Be Better,” is available on the “Champions for Change” Web site, http://cachampionsforchange.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx .

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Six Sigma Ranch & Winery of Lower Lake will extend its regular Saturday tour schedule over the Memorial Weekend.

It will offer tours Friday, May 27, through Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. each of the four days.

This is a great way to connect with the beauty of Lake County and enjoy a scenic tour of Six Sigma Ranch. The cost of the tour is $10 per person.

Guests will be welcomed in the historic Stage Coach House Tasting Room and then will climb aboard the Six Sigma Ranch Pinzgauer for the rustic trip to the highest elevation vineyard, the Diamond Mine Vineyard.

A guide will take you to the far corners of the ranch, sharing some amazing vistas as far away as Lake Berryessa.

Along the way you will learn about the distinctive characteristics of Six Sigma Ranch and its wines. You also are likely to see cattle, sheep, and pigs and learn about the ranch’s meat program. The guide will lead visitors through the history of the ranch that dates back to the 1850s.

The tour will conclude with a wine tasting at the tasting room where visitors can enjoy Six Sigma’s award winning wines. You are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and eat under the shade of ancient oak trees.

Please call to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance at 707-994-4068.

Six Sigma Ranch is located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road in Lower Lake and open daily from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visit Six Sigma online at www.sixsigmaranch.com .

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 .

DAVIS, Calif. – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Davis, Fairfield, Yuba City) held a reception last Friday honoring 11 students from the Third Congressional District who he nominated and have been accepted into one of the nation’s five military service academies.

The young men and women competing for nominations this year include an outstanding group of individuals.

While all applicants demonstrated the dedication, courage and aptitude necessary to excel at an academy, only a select few of the most qualified individuals are able to receive a nomination each year.

Nominations are based on the applicant’s academic strength, extracurricular activities and in-person interviews with Congressman Garamendi’s Academies Nomination Committee.

Members of the committee include service academy alumnus and current members of the military.

“Each year I have the privilege of nominating a select group of young men and women to four of the five service academies,” said Garamendi. “Our nation’s military service academies have a long standing tradition of excellence in education, service, and integrity, and I am proud to have such remarkable nominees represent the Third Congressional District. I salute our 2016 nominees and thank them for their commitment to our country.”

The list of nominees follows.

United States Air Force Academy

· William Boyd, Justin Siena High School Currently attending USAFA Preparatory School.

· Melissa Brunkal, Vacaville High School.

· Abby DeVarennes, DaVinci Charter Academy.

· John Evalle, Vanden High School.

· Kylee Gilbert, Vanden High School.

· Kara Malong, Winters High School.

· Leanne Singleton Comfort, East Nicolaus High School, currently attending UC San Diego.

· Hannah Wyatt, Woodland Christian High School.

United States Naval Academy

· Joshua Thompson, Dixon High School.

United States Military Academy

· Richard Delzell, North Hollywood High School Currently attending UC Davis.

· Paul Mooradian, Armijo High School.

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.