The American Red Cross has launched its official Earthquake App, putting lifesaving information right in the hands of people who live in or who visit earthquake prone areas.

This free app – available in English or Spanish – is the third in a series created by the American Red Cross, the nation’s leader in emergency preparedness, for use on both iPhone and Android platforms.

The Earthquake App comes on the heels of the highly successful First Aid and Hurricane apps, which have been downloaded more than 1 million times.

“This newest app gives instant access to local and real-time information on what to do before, during and after earthquakes,” said Ellen Maremont Silver, communications director, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake Counties Red Cross. “Local residents will receive earthquake notifications and can monitor activity where other family and friends reside. People who do not live in earthquake-prone areas can have peace of mind knowing they’ll have instant information about loved ones.”

New “Shake Zone Impact Maps” show give users personalized local impact information to help them make crucial decisions.

Features of the app include:

• Earthquake notifications showing the epicenter, magnitude and intensity maps;
• One touch “I’m safe” messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm’s way;
• Options to view the app in English or Spanish based on user handset settings;
• Locations of open Red Cross shelters;
• Simple steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;
• Preloaded content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity;
• Information on events that may happen after earthquakes such as fires and tsunamis;
• Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm; and
• Badges users can earn through interactive quizzes and share on social networks.

Over the past three months, the Red Cross has made great strides in putting vital information in the hands of people who need it during emergencies.

More than 1 million people have downloaded the First Aid and Hurricane Apps. People have used the content in our First Aid App to control bleeding, care for broken bones and help people having seizures.

The Red Cross Hurricane App was used to find Red Cross shelters and to send “I’m safe” messages during Hurricane Isaac.

National Red Cross experts in health, safety and preparedness have thoroughly reviewed and field tested the information and advice provided in Red Cross apps.

“A recent Red Cross survey found that apps have tied social media as the fourth most popular way for people to get information during emergencies, making the Red Cross app development effort even more important,” added Silver.

The Earthquake App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross. Apps can help prepare people for disasters, but they are not a substitute for training.

Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED training empowers people to know how to respond to emergencies in case advanced medical help is delayed. People can visit www.redcross.org/takeaclass for course information and to register.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year and helps people get ready to respond to emergencies by providing these apps for free. The Red Cross needs the help of the public to continue this lifesaving effort.

People can make a donation to the Red Cross by going to www.redcross.org , texting REDCROSS to 90999 or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Information about the local Red Cross is available at www.arcsm.org .

The California Emergency Management Agency announced Friday that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sears Holdings Corp. (SHC), a move which builds on a continuing effort to boost emergency response capabilities and the availability of critical resources in times of emergency.

“When disaster strikes, private businesses play a significant role in protecting their employees and addressing the needs of the community,” said Cal EMA Secretary Mark Ghilarducci.

“Having organizations such as Sears and Kmart who are willing and able to help provide emergency assistance and resources to affected communities is a great asset, one which helps speed recovery and get local communities back on their feet,” said Ghilarducci. “Through these affiliations, resources are increased, and we are better able to coordinate and deliver the services our residents need during times of emergency.”
 
The MOU with SHC allows both organizations to better monitor disaster events and effectively provide necessary resources as a component of the state’s Standardized Emergency Management System.

As a major retailer with multiple locations throughout the state and country, Sears Holdings will be able to provide resources and assistance directly to impacted communities in times of need.

“In California, disasters are an unfortunate fact of life,” said William Titus, Sears Holdings vice president of Loss Prevention and Safety. “Californians need help to recover, and with approximately 270 Sears, Kmart and specialty stores throughout the state, we are ready to lend a hand whenever a community needs assistance. We look forward to working with Cal EMA and the other partners in helping California bounce back from disaster.”

Under the agreement, SHC will work with other business partners to ensure resources are most efficiently provided under the direction of Cal EMA. SHC will also have representation at the State Operations Center at Cal EMA Headquarters during emergency activations to allow for direct coordination with Cal EMA and other private business partners.
 
In an effort to enhance the role that the private sector plays in California’s ability to respond to and recover from emergencies, Cal EMA has worked to incorporate the private sector into the state’s disaster response system.

As part of these efforts, Cal EMA has actively pursued key partnerships with private industry. To date, Cal EMA has signed MOUs with private sector partners such as Wells Fargo; Bank of America; Time Warner Cable; Wal Mart Stores, Inc.; Gap, Inc.; California Grocers Association; Target Corp.; Home Depot; California Utilities Emergency Association; and several others.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Members of the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Club built two popular themed garden exhibits for the 2012 Lake County fair this summer.

The first exhibit, “Pretty as a Picture,” featured a large lattice wood picture frame beyond which lay a typical Lake County summer day picnic.  

The background was comprised of a large scene on canvas with Mount Konocti in the background, handpainted by member artist Joyce Porterfield with the assistance of her granddaughter, Blair Brooks.  

In the foreground, members planted many native species plants including manzanita, shoreline grasses and tules. A blanket spread on the grass with utensils welcomed viewers into the scene, surely with fond memories of their own past picnics around the lake.

The second exhibit, for the “Summer’s Biggest Blast” fair theme, featured an exquisite antique quilt hung on the rear wall with the caption, “Summer’s Biggest Blast is Growing Fair Winners.”  

The scene delighted fair-goers, with themed organic gardens in the foreground complete with a gardener potting up plants at her potting bench, a compost bin, straw bale garden and flower-vegetable companion plantings.

Shelves at either side of the background quilt contained home-canned produce complete with ribbons suggesting many past fair entries from the garden produce.

CLT&TGC President Leanne Harvey is pleased with the club’s efforts and excited about the growing interest in garden exhibits at the Fair.  

“Last year we installed the only garden exhibit in the floral building; this year every garden exhibit space was filled and the response by everyone who came through the building was tremendous,” said Harvey. “We welcome the competition and are so excited about rolling up our sleeves and showcasing our Club’s gardening expertise and talent in an even bigger way at the 2013 Fair.”

The CLT&TGC welcomes new members; more information about the club is available at www.CLTTGC.org or by contacting Harvey at 707-263-0850.

The club meets at noon on the third Tuesday of the Month – except July and August – at the Scotts Valley Women’s Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

CLTTGC is a member of the Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County Wine Studio is hosting a special breast cancer awareness reception and fundraiser with local fiber artist Sue Wilson on Sunday, Oct. 7.

The event, which will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., will include wine sampling, appetizer bites and music accompaniment by pianist Jim Waters.

Wilson started knitting at the age of 9 and knitted her first sweater at age 11. Her mother taught her how to knit initially and additional skills were learned from books and by trial and error.

When she first learned to knit in rural Iowa, basic yarns were available at the local dime store. Today, yarns from around the world add style and luxury to her projects.

As a child Wilson entered items in the local county fairs and she carries on the tradition by entering items in the Lake County Fair.

“Of course it is fun to see a blue ribbon, but I hope too, that people viewing these entries will be inspired to take up the hobby,” she said.

In the 1980s Wilson taught knitting at a yarn shop in Palo Alto. More recently she taught knitting at Perlz Beads and Yarn in downtown Kelseyville and taught the art to many Lake County residents. During that time a charity knitting group, Stitch & Give, was formed.  

Even though Perlz is no longer in business, the group continues to meet once a month. Donations of knitted items are made locally to Lake Family Resource Center, internationally to Afghans for Afghans and most recently, the group knit children’s hats for Dr. Paula Dhanda to take on her medical mission trip to Nepal.

Wilson also is a breast cancer survivor. During this October Breast Cancer Awareness month, Wilson will show her collection of items which she has knitted to be sold at Lake County Wine Studio.  

She is donating all the yarn, her hours of knitting and all of the proceeds from the sale of these knitted items to go to help fund breast cancer research projects.  

The one-of-a-kind items include hats, shawls, scarves, lap robes, and a few baby sweaters created with luxurious fibers such as cashmere and alpaca, as well as cotton and wool.

With the holiday season just around the corner, these items could be considered for gift giving.

Knitters are invited to bring their knitting and enjoy the music and wine.

The last of the Cleavage Creek wines in LCWS’s inventory will be available at special sale pricing beginning Oct. 7 and throughout the month until it is sold out – first come, first served.

Lake County Wine Studio is both a gallery for display of arts and a tasting room, wine bar and retail shop for the fine wines of Lake County. Artists’ shows are held on a monthly basis with art and wine receptions held the first Friday and subsequent Saturday of each month.  

The month’s artist on display for October is painter, Claudia Flood.

The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake. It is open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information call Lake County Wine Studio at 707-275-8030.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Service Director Caroline Chavez announced that the Eastlake Landfill will be closed Monday, Oct. 8, in observance of the Columbus Day holiday.  

The Landfill and Public Services office will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 9.

Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1760.

LAKEPORT – The Lakeport English Inn is in preparation for the 10th annual Victorian Christmas Fair.

Innkeeper Karan Mackey, her mother Ruth, and Mackey’s sisters Jill and Marlene present this year’s event between Nov. 17 and Dec. 16 at the bed-and-breakfast inn, 675 N. Main St., Lakeport.

“Lake County residents and visitors are invited to ring in the holidays. Enjoy strolling carolers, shop rooms of ornaments and decorations, smell and taste edible creations, and join friends for a proper English Victorian Tea,” said Mackey.

“England celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee earlier this year, and all of London cheered the world’s athletes during the Summer Olympics. We are thrilled to mark our 10th annual event in the same year,” the innkeeper noted.

English Victorian High Tea is served to the public every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday during the Christmas Fair.

Seatings are at noon and 2:30 p.m. However, groups of more than 15 people may schedule tea on other days during the run of the holiday fair.  

A three-tier platter of “scrumptious delights” is planned for the “Mad Hatter Tea Party.” For reservations, call the inn at 707-263-4317.

High tea guests and inn visitors will find common rooms and halls of the bed-and-breakfast inn filled with holiday ornaments and colorful decorations, garland, tinsel, lighted trees, wreaths and varieties of gifts available for purchase.

They include handmade candy canes, soaps, candles, tea pots, saucers and cups, table decorations, wall hangings, yard enhancements, and holiday ornaments hanging on trees and displayed among many decorative settings.

“We have the largest selection of ornaments in all of Lake County. For this year, we have expanded the china and antiques sections,” said the inn’s owner.

During the Victorian Christmas Fair, the Lakeport English Inn is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, except Thanksgiving Day.

Innkeepers and tea servers help transport you to a different era as they appear in full Victorian costume. Carolers, too, dress in the theme of the day and stroll throughout the inn’s Christmas Fair and Tea Room to serenade visitors.

“The Victorian Christmas Fair is a celebration of Christmas traditions of long ago,” said Mackey. “Many magical trees are full of ornaments, carolers are singing of joy, friends are visiting with friends, gifts are being selected, and High Tea is being served by ladies in Victorian dress. In celebration of the 10th year, we will have at least one room decorated in silver and blue – 10th anniversary colors.”

A world class, traditional English High Tea is presented by the three sisters and staff. In honor of the Diamond Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II has been invited to tea. “We will share the queen's personal scone recipe, handwritten, this year in the introduction to the tea menu,” said Mackey.

Delicious scones, tarts, tiny sandwiches, Devonshire cream, desserts, shortbread cookies, all prepared with care and attention to detail, complement the tea. “It is like having tea at the London Ritz,” said Marlene.

For a glimpse at the tea menu, visit http://lakeportenglishinn.com/high-teas/christmas-fair.asp .

“Come enjoy a glimpse of England,” said Mackey, who takes pride in presenting her English High Teas in traditional fashion.

She has visited many tea rooms in England, and she is unrelenting in making her tea experiences as true to the English tea as possible. Only a few tea rooms exist in Northern California, and she visits those when she has the opportunity.

Karan and Hugh Mackey’s Lakeport English Inn is a bed-and-breakfast located in the downtown area along Main Street in Lakeport.

A special rate is offered this year for individuals who would like to stay at the inn and enjoy the Christmas Fair “without the crowd.” The rate is $175 for a room with king bed and a double Jacuzzi; $155 for rooms with queen-size feather beds.

“We are also serving complimentary wine, appetizers, and a spectacular after-dinner dessert, in addition to our fantastic breakfasts,” said Karan Mackey. “It is magical being in the inn when the lights take over each room. Most folks decide to shop in their Lakeport English Inn robes!”

For details and reservations, call the inn at 707-263-4317.