NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – This October marked the 20 years since the Bay Area was rocked by the Loma Prieta earthquake and the risk of another big jolt remains as high as ever.

AAA Northern California reminds state residents that the best way to successfully ride out a quake is to prepare for it in advance.

“One of the most important steps homeowners can take is to document their belongings before tragedy strikes,” advised AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “Take the time to do an inventory of your home, either with photographs or a video camera. Then, store those records in an off-site location like a safe deposit box.”

Earthquake safety tips

• Create an earthquake survival kit. This is one of the most important steps you can take. The kit should include canned goods, two to four quarts of water per person per day, sanitary supplies, a camp stove, portable radio, flashlight and spare batteries.

• Know how to shut off your home’s gas, water and electricity. You should also make sure your water heater is securely fastened to a wall or post with two metal straps.

• Conduct family earthquake drills. Make sure everyone knows which areas in a room are the safest. This may be underneath a table or against a wall. Stay away from windows, fireplaces and tall furniture.

• Decide where your family will reunite if you're separated. Choose a friend or relative you can call after an earthquake to let them know your location and condition. Phone lines are often overloaded or damaged in an earthquake and specifying one point of contact for your entire family will help avoid a strain on the system.

• Childproof your cabinet doors. It may seem like an annoyance initially, but installing latches on your cabinet doors can prevent them from flying open in an earthquake. By properly securing the doors you can keep precious belongings from spilling out and breaking.

• Check your insurance for earthquake coverage. Knowing what coverage you have can help speed up your recovery after a big quake. Most homeowner’s policies do NOT cover damage resulting from an earthquake and in most cases a separate earthquake policy is needed.

NICE – The Sons of Italy will host a Halloween dinner and dance on Saturday, Oct. 31.

The fun will take place at the Sons of Italy club hall, 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice.

Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory. There will be a contest for anyone who comes dressed up.

Enjoy a buffet meal of roasted Cornish hens, wild rice, vegetables, green salad and rolls, which then will be topped off with yummy cake for dessert.

The bar is open for socializing at 5 p.m. then dinner will be served at 6 p.m.

Enjoy dancing to the music of John Zimmerman right after the meal.

All tickets cost $14 at the door.

Everyone is welcome. For information about this event or renting the hall for your own, call 707-274-9952.

UKIAH – The Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties (AAA) Governing Board will hold their fall joint meeting with the AAA Advisory Council.

The meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the HHSA Big Sur Conference Room at 747 S. State Street, Ukiah.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. with a panel discussion on access to health care, featuring Jerry Chaney, vice president of patient care, Ukiah Valley Medical Center; Tammi Silva, director of public relations, Sutter Lakeside Hospital; Douglas Lewis, DDS, Mendocino County Health Center; Cathy Fry, executive director, Alliance for Rural Community Health; and Geoffrey Rice, MD, ophthalmologist.

The General Meeting of the AAA Governing Board and Advisory Council will follow from 2 to 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

SACRAMENTO – Last week Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 1440 by Assembly member Sandré Swanson (D-Alameda) ensuring that eligible firefighters and emergency personnel are able to vote in elections held while they fight on the front lines of any emergency in California.

“California’s first responders protect our lives and defend our property from fires and other natural disasters that strike our state without notice,” said Schwarzenegger. “This bill will ensure that these brave men and women – who often work long hours and find themselves far from home – will be able to cast their vote in an election from the front lines of any emergency.”

AB 1440 authorizes emergency workers to cast their ballots outside of their home precincts, upon the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency. Affected counties would have to issue provisional ballots.

In August, the governor issued an executive order ensuring that eligible firefighters and emergency personnel were able to vote in California’s 10th Congressional District and its 51st Assembly District special election on Sept. 1.

LAKE COUNTY – Catholic Charities is seeking assistance from the community in putting together Thanksgiving dinners for family members in need.

An anonymous donor has generously given Catholic Charities Rural Food Project 100 turkeys to give to families that are currently signed up for the group's monthly food box distribution.

Catholic Charities is asking for the following items in order to make up food boxes for Thanksgiving dinner for those in our area who are in need:

• 100 packets of Turkey gravy mix;

• 100 cans of cranberry sauce;

• 200 boxes of dressing;

• 200 boxes of mashed potatoes;

• 200 cans of corn;

• 200 cans of green beans;

• 200 cans of yams;

• 200 boxes of dressing.

If you can assist please bring your donation to the Catholic Charities Lake County Programs office at 21257 Calistoga St., Middletown (between the library and the car wash). Your donation will assist help make Thanksgiving a joy for many people who are in need.

For inquiries please contact Hedy Montoya, regional director of Catholic Charities Lake County Programs, at 707-987-8139.

LUCERNE – Lucerne FLOW will hold a fundraising dinner and dance on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31.

The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.

Music will be provided by Blue Moon.

The dinner will be moussaka ( with and without meat), and salad. Wine and beer will be available.

Costumes are encouraged, and there will be a prize for best costume as well as a raffle.

Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door.

For ticket information call 707-739-6788 and leave a message.