Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/437111
MINERAL LassenVolcanic National Park Acting Su- perintendent Steve Gibbons announced that the win- ning entry for the 2015 Las- sen Volcanic annual pass photo contest was submit- ted by Scott Arnaz of Cot- tonwood. This magnificent pho- tograph titled "Arrowleaf and Pilot Pinnacle" show- cases Lassen Volcanic Na- tional Park's beautiful scenery. The Lassen Volcanic an- nual pass photo contest is open to the public and visi- tors are encouraged to sub- mit photographs from their visit to the park. The winning photo- graph, which will be fea- tured on the 2015 Lassen Volcanic annual pass, was selected by park employees and volunteers from more than 75 submissions. Arnaz will receive photo credit and a $50 gift certif- icate from the Lassen Asso- ciation to use at one of the park bookstores. The $25 annual pass is valid for one year from the month of purchase and is also honored at Whiskey- town National Recreation Area. The 2015 annual pass will be available for pur- chase starting Jan. 1, 2015 at the southwest area of the park or online through the park website at www.nps. gov/lavo/planyourvisit/ feesandreservations.htm or www.pay.gov. The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information on the park, call 530-595-4480 or visit lavo_information@nps. gov. Winner of annual pass ph ot o co nt es t an no un ce d COURTESYPHOTO "Arrowleaf and Pilot Pinnacle" Good news for people with Medicare in 2015: Part B costs will remain the same as in 2014. Medicare Part B helps pay for doctor bills, outpa- tient care, durable medical equipment, and other items. It requires a monthly pre- mium and an annual de- ductible. I'm happy to re- port that Part B costs for 2015 will be identical to 2014: $104.90 a month for the premium (for most ben- eficiaries), and $147 for the deductible. Most people with Medi- care don't pay any premium for Part A, which helps cov- ers hospital care. But for those who do, the 2015 pre- mium is dropping, from a maximum of $426 per month to $407 per month. The annual deductible is go- ing up a little, from $1,216 in 2014 to $1,260 in 2015. Once you pay the deduct- ible, Medicare covers your first 60 days of hospitaliza- tion with no co-insurance. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, people with Medi- care no longer have co-pays for a long list of Medicare- covered preventive health services. Preventive shots and screenings are intended to keep you healthy and to de- tect disease in the earliest stages, when it's most treat- able. Medicare's preventive health services include vaccinations for flu and Hepatitis B; screenings for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer; screen- ings and counseling for di- abetes and depression; car- diovascular disease screen- ings; and counseling to help you stop smoking or abusing alcohol. In addition, you can get a one-time "Welcome to Medicare" visit with your doctor, during the first 12 months you're enrolled in Part B. During this visit you and your doctor can review your medical and social history, and your physician can rec- ommend specific preven- tive screenings for you, if needed. Medicare also now cov- ers an annual "wellness" visit with your doctor. This visit is intended to develop or update a personalized plan to prevent disease or disability based on your current health and risk fac- tors. Another benefit of the Af- fordable Care Act is that it's gradually closing the "do- nut hole," or coverage gap, in Medicare Part D, the pre- scription drug program. The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan together have spent a certain amount for covered drugs. In 2015, once you en- ter the gap, you pay 45 per- cent of the plan's cost for covered brand-name drugs and 65 percent of the plan's cost for covered generic drugs until you reach the end of the gap. However, not every- one will enter the cover- age gap because their drug costs won't be high enough. (There's a full explanation of the coverage gap in the "Medicare & You" hand- book for 2015, which is on- line at: http://www.medi- care.gov/Pubs/pdf/10050. pdf.) The gap is scheduled to be completely closed by 2020. Finally, Medicare has expanded its "Blue But- ton" feature to provide bet- ter access to your Medicare claims and personal health information. With the Blue Button you can download 12-36 months of claims informa- tion for Part A and Part B, and 12 months of claims in- formation for Part D. This information can help you make more informed deci- sions about your care and give your healthcare provid- ers a more complete view of your health history. You can find the Blue Button at www.MyMedi- care.gov. Once you've used the Blue Button, there are a va- riety of health applications and services to analyze your health information. Visit www.bluebuttonconnector. healthit.gov to learn more about these useful tools and how to protect your health information once it's in your hands. DavidSayenisMedi- care's regional adminis- trator for Arizona, Califor- nia, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDI- CARE (1-800-633-4227). DAVID SAYEN What's new in Medicare for 2015 David Sayen LASSEN PARK PLEASERECYCLETHISNEWSPAPER. WASHINGTON, DC Repre- sentative Doug LaMalfa Friday announced the names of the nine North State residents who will receive a nomination for admission to one of the United States service acad- emies for the class of 2019. Among the nominees are Tyler Younkers of Red Bluff to the U.S. Air Force Academy and Kody Ru- lofson of Cottonwood to the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. "It is an absolute honor and privilege to nominate these nine exceptional in- dividuals from the North State to the U.S. Service Academies," said LaMalfa. "Each of these applicants has excelled in their per- formance in the classroom and commitment to our country and communities. I am confident they will continue to make us proud and I offer my sincere grat- itude for their willingness to serve our great nation." The nominees were rec- ommended by a commit- tee of North State com- munity leaders and veter- ans of all service branches. The committee recom- mended a slate of nomi- nees after interviewing and carefully considering the files of North State stu- dents who applied for the nomination. Having been nominated, the students must now compete with other nom- inees for an appointment to the academies. Acad- emy officials will begin announcing appointments this month. California First Con- gressional District Service Academy nominations in- clude Riley Davis of Red- ding, Air Force; Austin Dowse of Grenada, Air Force; Trent Foster of Ne- vada City, Naval; Nicho- las Katz of Chico, Military, Andrew Klassen of Chico, Naval; Kevin Williams of Yreka, Military Academy and Wyatt Wyckoff of Ma- galia, Military. Any student with a strong desire to serve the nation as an officer in the United States Armed Forces is invited to con- tact LaMalfa in the spring of their junior year. Visit www.lamalfa.house.gov for nomination application and instructions. You may also call the Oroville Dis- trict office and speak with the U.S. Service Academy Advisor at (530) 534-7100. EDUCATION Nominees announced for service academies By Sue Manning The Associated Press LOS ANGELES These clothing designers have to think about pattern, fabric and fit — as well as where to put the poo bags. Creating on-trend out- fits is a whole differ- ent animal for pet fash- ion designers, whose work is becoming main- stream as animal lov- ers look to further pam- per their pets. For some owners, it's a statement; for others, it's a way to match man's best friend; and sometimes it's sim- ply about keeping ani- mals warm this winter. But it's clear the number of dressed-up dogs and cats jumps significantly once holiday photos need to be taken. "We have gone from the kind of cute reindeer gear or ugly sweater to more functional clothing," said Lauren Darr, founder of the International Associa- tion of Pet Fashion Profes- sionals in New York City. "Before it was for a cute picture, now it's more practical. It takes it to a different level, going from being a novelty to under- standing how things can be used in everyday life." Pet fashion got a leg up after American Ea- gle Outfitters received an outpouring from its April Fool's Day joke this year. To raise money and awareness for an animal welfare group, the popu- lar retailer introduced a fake fashion line called American Beagle Outfit- ters. But the joke was on the Pittsburgh company. "Our customers were very clear about their de- sire for this product to be- come a reality," company spokesman Michael Leedy said last month when wel- coming the pet line for real. Its tiny puffy jackets, sweaters and hats sell for $12.95 to $39.95. The move made strides for the pet clothing indus- try, insiders say. "When a company like American Eagle starts get- ting into pet fashion, it re- ally puts a spotlight on it and brings visibility to it," Darr said. For some pet owners, clothing plays into a lux- ury lifestyle. Dog Fash- ion Spa in New York sells doggy and mommy bath- robes, a matching fad that comes as many spas and salons are building hers and "furs" facilities — one side to pamper the woman and the other to treat their dogs, CEO Elena Volnova said. Pampering and style is one thing, but function is also important. Karine Ng, the owner and designer at Central Park Pups in New York City, has developed several step-in coats with hidden harnesses that help pets get dressed without the hassle. Dogs walk right into the coat, so they don't have to put their head through it. Her pieces are among the many that feature a pouch or pocket to hold unused bags for scooping up pet poop. ANIMALS Pampered pets that don duds move to the mainstream AP PHOTO/AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS A dog wears an American Beagle Outfitters beanie and sweater. 365S.MainSt. Red Bluff www.lariatbowl.com 527-2720 9:30pm - 12:30am FOODANDDRINKSPECIALS Per Person $20 VALUE PaymentduebyDec.29th after Dec. 29th price $12.00 per person 100JacksonStreet, Red Bluff (530) 529-1220 NEW Membership Specials CallorComeIn for details 723 Main St. 527.5470 $8HandCutSteakDinner with 2 Sides & Cornbread OpenTues-Sat www.palominoroom.com NeedaDoctor? Wehavetherightoneforyou. 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