LAKEPORT
Lake County McDonald’s owner/operators give back
Mc Donald’s owner/operator Steve Peat presented a check to the Ronald McDonald’s charities Bay Area (RMHC) on Wednesday at the Lakeport location. Originally the ceremony was to take place in Clearlake, but had to be moved to the Lakeport franchise as a result of closures from Sunday’s Boyles fire.
“I started serving on different RMHC boards over 35 years ago, and I have a passion for helping our friends and neighbors in need right here in our local community,” said Peat who owns and oversees 18 local franchises including all the restaurants in the Mendocino and Lakeport areas. “McDonald’s is a mission partner of RMHC, and we support them in any way we can with awareness, fundraising, and inclusion in our community outreach.”
Funds were raised at the Lakeport Concert Series this summer as a result of a team consisting of Bicoastal Media Group participating in the summertime “Concerts at Library Park” on August 2 and 16 and a partnership with McDonalds where $3,523 was raised through the raffle prizes and cash donations. Steve and wife Jan matched the donation, increasing the total up to $7,500.
According to information provided by Madelyn Schieder, who works with McDonald’s H/L public relations agency, the goal was to raise awareness for the RMHC. McDonald’s attracted attendees to their booth with giveaways on the prize wheel and accepted cash donations for RMHC. Each business at the concert raffled a prize.
Bicoastal Media General Manager Paul Thomas said his organization (KXBX 98.3) is a major sponsor of the Summer Concert Series which just wrapped up another summer season last month on August 16. Thomas was joined at the ceremony by various coworkers including Pamela Campbell, Ukiah sales manager, Majida May, who oversees administration at all 18 regional restaurants and Jennifer Castro, local supervisors in Lakeport and Clearlake.
Jay McCollough, vice president of philanthropy at Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area in Palo Alto made the trip to receive the check from Peat, as well as to congratulate the collected group of McDonald’s managers and employees and the Bicoastal Media crew.
—Ariel Carmona, Lake County Record-Bee
LAKE COUNTY
2024 NEA Big Read begins this month
The Lake County Library will begin its 2024 NEA Big Read programming during this second week of September. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read—a partnership with Arts Midwest—broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. The Lake County Library is a recipient of an $8,000 grant to host the NEA Big Read countywide with dynamic community reading programs and selected “The Bear” by Andrew Krivak for programming in September and October of 2024.
The 2024 Lake County Big Read programming will begin with its Cookbook Club Book Discussion on Thursday September 12 at 12 pm at the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High Street. The Big Read will then be at the Lake County Farmers’ Finest Market on Saturday September 14 from 10 am to 1 pm at The Mercantile, 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville, to giveaway free copies of the book and chat with shoppers about the program.
On Sunday September 15, the Lake County Library will partner with the Lake County Land Trust and Redbud Audubon Society for a Celebrate WHERE WE LIVE Guided Nature Walk from 9 am to 2 pm at Rodman Preserve. located at 6350 Westlake Road in Lakeport just off the Nice Lucerne Cutoff. Adults and families are invited to see the unique aspects of the beautiful Rodman Preserve and Nature Center as well as learn how the Land Trust works to protect the land and habitats that nature and humans depend on.
The guided nature walk begins at 9 am and will be led by Redbud Audubon Society’s naturalist, Donna Mackiewicz. This walk will coincide with Biodiversity Week sponsored by California Academy of Sciences. To celebrate the diversity at the preserve, Donna will be recording, with the help of those attending, every type of species seen with the goal of reaching 30 different plants, animals, insects, and trees. Water and light snacks will be provided, or visitors are welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy on the shaded porch of our Nature Center. Along with the 9 am walk, Land Trust volunteers will be available to accompany walking groups to talk about some of the special aspects of “Where We Live.”
NEA Big Read events will continue throughout September and October and includes a diverse schedule of events from book discussions and writing workshops, presentations on Hospice and Behavioral Health Services, an outdoor event with the library, Clear Lake State Park, Museums of Lake County, and California Department of Fish & Wildlife, a virtual author event, and more.
A children’s Little Read will also be offered with four Storytimes at library branches, featuring age-appropriate books with themes relating to the NEA Big Read book.
The public is invited to attend all NEA Big Read events at no cost, and free books are provided at each event and all library branches until supply runs out. To view the full schedule of events, go to https://www.lakecountybigread.com/. Questions can be directed to the Lake County Library Literacy Program at literacy@lakecountyca.gov or 707-263-7633.
Visit https://www.arts.gov/partnerships/nea-big-read for more information about the NEA Big Read.
—Submitted
WASHINGTON
Thompson, law makers introduce resolution establishing Telehealth Awareness Week
On Wednesday, Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04), Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), John Curtis (UT-03), and Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced their introduction of a bipartisan resolution declaring the week of September 15, 2024, as Telehealth Awareness Week.
The resolution aims to recognize the impact of telehealth in delivering health care services to patients across the United States, particularly seniors and those living in rural areas, and encourage continued use and adoption of this vital service.
“Since my days in the California State Senate, I’ve been a big believer in telehealth’s ability to save money, time, and lives,” said Rep. Thompson. “It’s great to join Representatives Carter, Matsui, Curtis, and Sewell to mark Telehealth Awareness Week. Telehealth allows patients—especially those with low mobility or who otherwise can’t make it to the doctor’s office—to access the care they need when they need it. Expanding Americans’ access to telehealth’s vital services just makes sense.”
“Telehealth has the potential to bring qualified health care professionals to every home in America, regardless of how far away they live from their provider. The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionized this important technology, but it is critical that we continue to advocate for widespread adoption so that telehealth services are available to all who need it. We all want quality, affordable, and accessible health care, and telehealth helps us get there,” said Rep. Carter.
“Telehealth has become an essential part of our health care system, allowing Americans to access care more efficiently,” said Rep. Matsui. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Telehealth Awareness Week resolution, which not only calls attention to the benefits of telehealth, but also recommits Congress to extending access to this vital service permanently. I look forward to continuing to work with this bipartisan group of telehealth champions to ensure every American has access to high-quality, life-saving health care.”
“Telehealth has proven essential for Utah’s rural communities, bringing critical healthcare services to those who might otherwise go without,” said Rep. Curtis. “This resolution reinforces our commitment to expanding access and ensures that rural Utahns continue to receive the care they deserve. As we celebrate Telehealth Awareness Week, let’s remember the importance of connectivity and healthcare innovation in maintaining the health and well-being of all Americans.”
“Telehealth has proven to be an effective tool for bringing health care services directly to Alabama communities who would otherwise lack access,” said Rep. Sewell. “That includes seniors, people with disabilities, and those living in rural communities. We must continue to prioritize the adoption of this technology so that we can improve health outcomes for our most vulnerable Alabamians.”
Rep. Thompson is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Telehealth Caucus and has worked to expand telehealth access since his time serving in the California State Senate, where he led California’s passage of the first state telehealth access bill. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Rep. Thompson led bipartisan, bicameral legislation that immediately allowed seniors on Medicare to receive telehealth services for the duration of the public health emergency. Rep. Thompson also introduced legislation extending telehealth access through 2024, which was later signed into law. He continues to work to advance access to health care for all Americans.
—Submitted
