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- Written by: Editor
Under state law, local government officials are required to invite bids for construction projects and then award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder.
The design-build method allows local officials to procure both design and construction services from a single company before the development of complete plans and specifications. State law allows all counties, with the approval of the board of supervisors, to use the design-build method to construct projects worth more than $2.5 million.
State law also allows two special districts to construct projects using counties' design-build procedures. The Santa Clara Water District can use the counties' design-build statute specifically for building and upgrading its water treatment plant facilities. Similarly, the Orange County Sanitation District can use counties' design-build procedures for the construction of projects in excess of $6 million, including wastewater facilities.
District hospitals throughout the state are often faced with higher construction costs than private hospitals, because state law currently prevents district hospitals from using design-build, forcing them to use the design-bid-build process instead.
The Wiggins bill permits health care districts to use the design-build contracting method for the construction of hospitals or health facility buildings, and for related improvements – but not streets, highways, bridges, public rail transit or other infrastructure.
Wiggins said she introduced SB 1699 after speaking with officials from Sonoma Valley Hospital. They shared their desire “to build a new facility that would better serve the community, and be built to modern standards to withstand a major earthquake,” Wiggins said. “It is extremely important that our hospitals are available and open when we have major natural catastrophes that threaten the health and safety of our loved ones.”
Of the 75 health care districts in California, many consist of small rural hospitals that will soon face impending 10 percent cuts in Medi-Cal. Those cuts will have a negative impact on the financial stability of many hospitals, but legislation such as SB 1699 will offer some assistance in overcoming those financial burdens.
Wiggins said design-build offers numerous advantages, including pricing certainty, faster project delivery and greater odds of avoiding conflicts and disputes, such as between building designers (architects or engineers) and construction contractors.
“It is my job as a state senator to help our hospitals modernize and prepare for the inevitable emergencies that will occur, especially in earthquake country,” she said. “Design-build legislation can give our district hospitals the flexibility and options needed to upgrade to the safety standards that will protect our family members and caregivers.”
As a result of today’s Senate vote, SB 1699 now moves to the Assembly for consideration. In addition to Sonoma Valley Hospital, the measure is also supported by the Association of California Healthcare Districts, the California Hospital Association, the California Special Districts Association, the Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California, Mendocino Coast District Hospital, the North Sonoma County Hospital District, the North-Kern South Tulare Hospital District and Palm Drive Hospital (Sebastopol).
Wiggins represents the state’s 2nd Senate District, which is made up of portions or all of six counties: Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
For further information about SB 1699 or other legislation by Wiggins, please visit her Web site at http://dist02.casen.govoffice.com/.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The group is open to dads (or males who are significant in the lives of a child) and their children. D.A.Ds. will meet twice a month starting June through September 2008. There is no fee to join the group.
Activities will include fishing, camping, attending baseball games, barbecues and much more.
The first activity will be the “D.A.Ds.” games and barbecue at the County Park in Kelseyville. The first gathering will be on June 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
D.A.Ds. will help parents connect with their children as they share experiences together. The three main goals are:
Play with your kids at playgrounds, recreation centers and field trips. It gets you out of the house, together with other D.A.Ds., and the kids really look forward to time with their friends and the important work they do at play.
Learn. We strive to share real-life resources and educational opportunities to help us in our role as parents. And the best real-life resource is the connection and shared experiences of other D.A.Ds.
Connect. The kids aren’t the only ones who connect! Getting to know and “playing” with other dads at playgrounds, Dad’s Night Out, Dad’s Breakfast, house project co-ops and other D.A.Ds. functions opens an often unexpected door to fun, camaraderie and friendships.
Call today to register for the D.A.Ds. program, space is limited.
For more information and to register call Schad Schweitzer or Jonathan Killops of Lake Family Resource Center at 262-1611 or 775-8336. You can also email to
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- Written by: Editor
The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement has released a study, conducted by Sperling's BestPlaces, revealing the nation's 10 most – and least – heart-friendly cities for women.
Minneapolis-St. Paul took the title of Most Heart Friendly City For Women with the lowest cardiac mortality rate for women, low hypertension rates and highest exercise rates. Nashville, on the other hand, finished at the bottom of the rankings with high obesity and smoking rates.
Based on the heart friendly benefits cities have to offer their residents and the personal lifestyle choices of its residents, Go Red For Women and BestPlaces found the following Heart Friendly rankings:
Most Heart friendly Cities for Women
1. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN
2. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC
3. San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland, CA
4. Denver-Aurora, CO
5. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA
6. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
7. Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR
8. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
9. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA
10. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ
Least Heart friendly Cities for Women
1. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, TN
2. St. Louis, MO
3. Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI
4. Pittsburgh, PA
5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
6. Columbus, OH
7. Cincinnati-Middletown, OH
8. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
9. Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH
10. Indianapolis, IN
"Go Red For Women engaged in this study to help women better understand how personal health and environmental risk factors influence heart disease," said Mary Ann Bauman, MD, American Heart Association national spokesperson. She is also Medical Director for Women's Health and Community Relations, INTEGRIS health, INC. "Our goal is that individual residents, communities at large and government officials can use this information to help create socio-political change at the grassroots level as well as educate women on their personal risk for heart disease."
The study focused on the 200 largest metro areas in the United States, which are home to nearly 75 percent of the nation's population. The research analyzed 22 factors for each location including smoking, obesity, cardiac mortality rate and regular exercise amongst women.
Fast facts:
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Boston and Phoenix reported the lowest female cardiac mortality rates in the country; Detroit, Nashville and St. Louis reported the highest.
San Francisco, Denver and Los Angeles were the thinnest mega metros; Cleveland, San Antonio and Columbus were among the most overweight.
Our nation's capital, Washington, D.C., reported the lowest stress ratings of all the mega metros while Portland, Ore., reported the highest stress levels in the category.
Generally, California and Colorado cities scored well in the Heart Friendly Cities study; the metros that scored the lowest in the study were found in the South and Midwest.
The importance of heart disease awareness and personal risk assessment
"With the release of this study, Go Red For Women seeks to build heart health awareness across the country and in every woman's own backyard," said Bauman. "As long as women remain unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer, that statistic is not likely to change. With this knowledge the American Heart Association hopes every woman will take action to reduce their personal risk."
Other alarming heart health statistics include:
One in three adult women has one or more forms of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 460,000 women per year, approximately one woman per minute.
More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including cancer.
Heart friendly tips ... no matter where you live
Regardless of where your city falls on the list, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in all 50 states. Living in a heart friendly city does not automatically make you heart healthy, and the reverse is also true. Whether you live in Denver or Detroit, your heart is in your hands. Heart disease is largely preventable if you work to lower your risks by making changes to your everyday lifestyle.
There are some basic steps you can take to make a positive impact on your health, your family's health and your city's status on the list. Start by visiting www.GoRedForWomen.org to get your "Go Red Heart Style Guide" with actionable plans, tips, recipes, a free magazine subscription and more to help you live a heart healthy lifestyle.
Here are some simple ways you can be heart healthy, regardless of your area code:
Eat healthy! Learn the basics about a heart healthy diet with Go Red tools and tips for balanced nutrition, delicious recipes and more.
Get physically active! Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity improves cardiovascular fitness and helps reduce risk of heart disease and stroke. You can incorporate physical activity into your daily routines with Choose To Move, a 12-week physical activity and nutrition program that can be customized to fit every lifestyle. Register at www.GoRedForWomen.org.
Know your numbers! Tracking blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and weight numbers can help you to keep them in a healthy range. To learn more about your 10-year personal risk for heart disease, take the Go Red For Women Heart CheckUp at www.GoRedForWomen.org.
Build community! Join the Go Red For Women online community to share heart health stories and connect with women who share a passion for women's heart health nationwide.
Make a difference! Support the HEART For Women Act and other policies to help make our nation's cities heart healthier for all. Visit www.GoRedForWomen.org to access tools to help you communicate directly with members of Congress.
More information also can be found at www.americanheart.org/.
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- Written by: Editor
“Freedom from Smoking,” the leading smoking cessation program in the United States for more than 25 years, shows participants how to quit smoking for good in a supportive setting.
Participants meet weekly with a small group of people so everyone attending gets personal attention. No two smokers are alike, so the program helps everyone create their own quit plan. Because support of others is important while quitting, being with a group who understands the challenges of quitting helps at a time when support is most needed.
“Freedom from Smoking” will be taught by Joy Swetnam, a nationally certified cessation trainer.
The eight weekly classes will begin on Monday, June 2.
Two classes will be available each Monday. Lunchtime classes will take place from noon to 2 p.m. and evening classes will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport. The cost is only $50 for the course and includes all program materials and refreshments.
For more information, and to register for the classes call Joy Swetnam or Michael Rupe, Lake Family Resource Center, at 262-1611 or email
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