MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In response to community need, the Middletown Methodist Church has expanded its food program and is now announcing some updates.

The Middletown Methodist Church community food program prior to 2012 included, in conjunction with Catholic Charities, a fourth Wednesday Food distribution from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., emergency food bags and first Sunday community dinners.

Beginning this past January the program expanded to free community dinners offered every Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Additional free meals were added on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in February.

These meals provide nutritional food to many members of the community and will continue in April.  

Fifteen volunteers, most not connected with the Methodist Church, have made the expanded meal program possible.  

The Thursday and Sunday Breakfast Program from February and March will be modified beginning April 1.

Sunday breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. and the Thursday morning breakfast will be discontinued due to low attendance.   

"Offering regular free meals are important part of what our church does to help our community at a time when folks are having financial stresses," said Pastor Voris Brumfield. "If anyone knows of persons who are in need of a meal or food, please tell them about our programs. We are grateful to the anonymous donors and all the volunteers, because no one should be hungry in our county."

For more information about these and other Methodist Programs email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-295-7174.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and its partner agencies urge all Californians, particularly those who live by, work in or visit the state's coastal communities, to empower themselves during National Tsunami Preparedness Week, March 25-31, by learning about the tsunami threat in their community and taking steps to reduce their risk of death, injury and property damage.

"We're committed to working with our partner agencies and the community to reduce the potentially catastrophic impacts of tsunamis and other emergencies that threaten California," said Cal EMA Secretary Mark Ghilarducci. "The massive wave surges generated by last year's Tohoku earthquake and tsunami is a sobering reminder that even disasters thousands of miles away can affect dozens, if not hundreds or thousands, of lives here in California."

California officials noted that last year's tsunami that hit California's coast caused one death and tens of millions of dollars in damages to public and private facilities. "Images from the Tohoku Tsunami remind us that this hazard is ever-present, unforgiving, and a real threat to Californian's coastal communities," noted California Seismic Safety Commission Executive Director Richard McCarthy.

"Injuries and loss of life are a tragic reality in many disasters, but a lot can be done to prevent them from happening when a tsunami is generated. Knowing what to do when a tsunami occurs can literally mean the difference between life and death," said Ghilarducci. "It's important that Californians living or working near the coast or visiting know that ground shaking could be nature's tsunami warning and that they need to take action."

Steps you can take to protect yourself from tsunamis

Are you in a hazard zone? Visit the "My Hazards" Web page at www.myhazards.calema.ca.gov to find out if you live in a tsunami hazard zone.

Know what to do: Find the designated tsunami evacuation routes for your community and assemble a small evacuation kit that includes a flashlight, portable NOAA Weather Radio, water, snacks, important documents and other essentials – www.ready.gov .

Prepare a plan: All Californians should also determine where they and loved ones will reunite if they are separated.

Learn more about tsunamis: Tsunami maps, reports, Japanese Tsunami Effects to California, National Tsunami Preparedness Week links and details, as well as additional tips on tsunami preparedness are available at www.tsunami.ca.gov .

Join the Discussion Live on March 29th:  Cal EMA is conducting a live, one-hour Webcast on March 29, 2012 at 2:00pm (PST). They'll be live with experts discussing lessons learned from last year's Tohoku earthquake and tsunami; steps Californians can take to reduce their risk of death, injury and property losses from tsunamis, ocean debris generated by the tsunami and other issues of interest.

The Webcast will feature representatives from Cal EMA, the California Geological Survey (CGS) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA). You can send your questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they'll answer them live on the air.

"As Cal EMA's science partner, we encourage Californians to be prepared for the relatively rare but potentially devastating hazard that tsunamis represent," said Dr. John Parrish, State Geologist of California and head of CGS. "Government officials at all levels are researching and planning, but in many cases, surviving a disaster comes down to personal preparation."

Parrish noted that the www.tsunami.ca.gov Web page features the state's official tsunami inundation maps, information about the effects of the 2011 Japan tsunami on California and a new Cal EMA/CGS tsunami brochure designed with the boating community in mind.

To help commemorate National Tsunami Preparedness Week, Cal EMA has once again partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino and other agencies and organizations to test the tsunami warning communications system.  

The test, which will be conducted between 11a.m. and Noon on March 28 , features an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message with "live" tsunami event codes that will air over NOAA Weather Radios equipped with the Public Alert feature as well as participating radio and television stations serving the three participating counties.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will host a countywide supervisorial candidates' public forum for districts one, four and five.

The forum will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 14, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The public is encouraged to attend.

Refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the forum.

For further information, please contact Aqeela El-Amin Bakheit at 707-681-6127.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center has a group of volunteers participating in Relay for Life with a team called Precious Moments.

Two days of fundraising included a raffle, bake sales and an entire day of half off the entire inventory of the Meals on Wheels thrift store with a portion going to sponsorship in Relay for life.

The combined efforts of the Precious Moments team, Meals on Wheels Thrift Store and Lakeport Senior Activity Center volunteers raised $1,355 over two days.

The Meals on Wheels Thrift Store is proud to be a Silver Sponsor in this year’s Relay for Life.

Every life is affected by cancer, either personally, through family or friends.

Relay for Life is an opportunity for the community to get together, honor and remember those who have fought and are fighting cancer.

Proceeds raised by Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society.

For more information on how the American Cancer Society helps the fight against cancer, and supports those going through the fight themselves, goto www.relayforlife.org .

Meals on Wheels Thrift Store is located at 120 N. Main St. in Lakeport and can be contacted at 707-263-6174.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – People all over Lake County are pitching in to fight hunger as part of the “Lake County CAN!” effort this month.

Lake County Administrator Kelly Cox always has a smile when past county supervisors drop by.

Recently he was visited at his Lakeport office by Voris Brumfield, a former south county supervisor who now is pastor of the Middletown Methodist Church.

Brumfield stopped by asked if the Board of Supervisors would offer a proclamation to support “Lake County CAN! Stop Hunger.”

“I had no idea what she was talking about,” said Cox. “After her brief explanation, I thought, 'Wow, what a great idea.'”

A few days later, Brumfield got a surprise when Cox attended a special meeting in Middletown to consider phasing the development of a park on Highway 29 as part of the new county building to house a new library and senior center.

Cox delivered a large bag of nonperishable items for Lake County CAN! Stop Hunger before the community meeting began.

“Kelly is that kind of man,” said Brumfield. “When he recognizes a issue, he gets involved.”

It is clear that hunger is a problem in third world countries, so that's not news, nor is it news that many people within the United States do not have enough food.

However, most people do not know there are thousands of children and adults in Lake County California who do not have enough to eat, Brumfield said.

All people in Lake County are asked support this countywide campaign to end hunger, which wraps up at the end of the month.

If you want to help, look for the 'Stop Hunger' cans at both Mendo Mill stores in Clearlake and Lakeport; the three Hardester's Stores in Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, and Cobb; Mount St. Helena Brewery in Middletown and all the Methodist Churches in Lake County.

To make a donation, volunteer or to find out other ways to help check  www.LakeCountyCAN.org .

California law enforcement organizations will attend their 20th annual Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 28, at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento.  

The annual event provides law enforcement from across the state an opportunity to meet and discuss important legislative issues facing public safety, hear from key state leaders, learn how the legislative process works, and continue the effort to move public safety forward in California.  

Attendees then meet with legislators in the afternoon.

This year’s program will include discussion of critical issues of concern for law enforcement and public safety: focusing on the tremendous fiscal challenges facing California, criminal justice realignment, and ensuring that law enforcement maintains the resources needed to provide for the public safety of all Californians.

Speakers will include Gov. Jerry Brown; Attorney General Kamala Harris; State Controller John Chiang; Secretary Matt Cate, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg; Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff; Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway; and representatives for many of the sponsoring and co-sponsoring organizations.

Law enforcement’s legislative day is sponsored by the California Peace Officers’ Association, California Police Chiefs’ Association, California District Attorneys Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, California Narcotic Officers’ Association, and the California Highway Patrol.  Co-sponsors include the California Reserve Peace Officers’ Association, California Law Enforcement Association of Records Supervisors, Chief Probation Officers of California, Peace Officers’ Research Association of California, California Campus and University Police Chiefs Association, Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, California Probation, Parole and Correctional Association, Southern California Public Safety Dispatchers, California District Attorney Investigators' Association, California Sexual Assault Investigators’ Association, California Correctional Supervisors’ Organization, California Association of Code Enforcement Officers and the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association.