LAKEPORT, Calif. – A breakfast in honor of cancer survivors will be held on Saturday, April 28.

The breakfast will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Lakeport Fire Protection District's firehouse, located at 445 N. Main St.

It is not a fundraiser but a free breakfast to honor survivors and their caregivers.

To RSVP call or text Leslie with The Relay For Life at 707-242-2421.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Clear Lake Scullers will host upcoming “learn to row” events.

The events will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Clear Lake Scullers' boatyard on Main Street at Natural High School on the following Saturdays: May 5, May 19, June 2 and June 16.

Learn to sweep row, scull, use paddle kayaks and canoes, or a paddle board.

Residents and visitors of all ages are welcome.

The group offers summer classes for adults and students for rowing, paddling and water safety.

For more information contact Mike Sullivan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-349-9779, or visit www.clearlakescullers.org .

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Lake County Stonewall Democratic Club will meet on Monday, April 23.

The meeting will be held in the Community Room at Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church, 12487 The Plaza, Clearlake Oaks, and will begin with a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the general meeting at 7 p.m.

Local community activist Ron Green will be the featured speaker and will give an update on Measure D.

Also, on the agenda discussion of plans and goals for the 2012 election and working with the Democratic Central Committee to register voters and staff the United Democratic Headquarters in Lakeport, and plans for the annual Aids Walk and Harvey Milk Day.

Members will be encouraged to sign up to help staff the booths at Wild West Days, as well as all the local events throughout the spring and summer where the Democrats will have a voter registration booth.

All Stonewall Democratic Club meetings are open to the public and membership in the club is open to all registered Democrats.

New attendees are invited to come early and enjoy the potluck dinner provided by Stonewall members.

Lake County Stonewall Democratic Club meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church Community room.   

Contact the Democratic Party of Lake County at 707-533-4885 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

SAN FRANCISCO. – During Earthquake Preparedness Month Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reminds customers of the importance of preparing for natural disasters.

When an earthquake or other natural disaster occurs, natural gas and electric service can be interrupted. PG&E employees routinely practice their emergency roles and responsibilities to prepare for natural disasters, and the utility also provides emergency preparedness information for customers online at www.pge.com/safetycentral .

The following earthquake preparedness tips can help keep customers and their families safe and protected:

Before:

• Prepare: Have an emergency plan ready and conduct drills with your family. Make sure children, childcare providers and other family members know your safety procedures.
• Stock-up: Have emergency supplies on hand such as a portable radio with extra batteries, flashlights with fresh batteries, bottled water, a first aid kit, blankets, food, alternative cooking fuel, a minimum two week supply of needed medications, and extra crescent or pipe-type wrenches for turning off gas and water mains if necessary.
• Educate: Know how and when to turn off electricity, water and gas at the main switch and valves. Securely anchor water heaters and other heavy appliances. Secure tall, heavy furniture that could topple. Always store flammable liquids safely away from ignition sources like water heaters, furnaces or stoves.
• Anticipate: Know the safe spots in each room, like under a sturdy desk or table. Remember to stay away from windows, mirrors, hanging objects and fireplaces.

During:

• If you are indoors, stay inside. Get under a sturdy desk or table.
• If you are cooking in the kitchen, turn off the stove and other appliances if it is possible to do so safely before you take cover.
• If you are outdoors, get into the open, away from buildings, trees, walls and power lines. Be alert for falling debris.
• If you are driving, pull to the side of the road and stop. Do not park under overpasses, power lines, light posts, trees or signs. Stay in your car until the earthquake is over.

After:

• Check for injuries and ensure that everyone is safe.
• Check for damage. If you smell or hear escaping gas, get everyone outside. Find a phone away from the building to call 911 and PG&E (1-800-743-5000) immediately.
• If you smell or hear gas escaping, and are able to do so safely, shut off the gas at the main gas service shutoff valve using a 12- to-15 inch adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench or other suitable tool. The valve is normally located near your gas meter. Do not shut off the valve unless you smell or hear gas escaping.
• Once you shut-off the gas, DO NOT turn it back on. If the gas service shutoff valve is closed, contact PG&E or another qualified professional to perform a safety inspection before the gas service is restored and the appliance pilots are lit.
• If you suspect a gas leak, do not use electrical switches, appliances or telephones, because sparks can ignite gas from broken lines. Do not check for a gas leak with a match or an open flame.
• If the power goes out, unplug major appliances to prevent possible damage when the power is turned back on.
• Plan evacuation routes from places where tsunamis present a risk to you and your family (home, school, workplace). If possible, pick areas 100 feet above sea level or two miles inland. You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes.

After a major earthquake, outside help may not be available for at least three days.

PG&E urges customers to prepare and learn how to respond during and after an earthquake.

Useful emergency preparedness information can be found at the following Web sites: The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org ), the California Office of Emergency Services (www.oes.ca.gov ), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov ) and the Earthquake Country Alliance (www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/index.php ).

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Attorney Dennis A. Fordham will present a free educational seminar at 1 p.m. Monday, April 30.

Fordham's seminar is titled, “Educating Seniors Taking Charge: The Risks and Rewards of Estate Planning.”

The event will take place at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.

Please RSVP by calling 707-263-4218.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rose Duncan is disabled and needed a ramp connected to her deck that would give her access to both the front and backyard. Habitat for Humanity Lake County made her dream come true.

The ramp is eight months old now and affords Duncan a new freedom and opportunity that she hadn’t had before. She can visit her neighbors and tend to her garden. Being outside gives her a “whole new purpose in life.”

Habitat for Humanity Lake County established the “A Brush of Kindness” home repair program two years ago.

It was created to reach out to low income homeowners that are in need of home repairs but have no financial means of paying for such work.

The goal is to repair the dwellings so that they are safe and healthy to live in.

The project combines contractors, volunteers, friends and family all working together to meet a common goal.

Virginia applied in 2010. She heard about Habitat for Humanity through a friend. She filled out an application in the office and construction started shortly thereafter.   

Virginia’s home had a severe plumbing problem. The drain system in her home needed to be redone. She was so impressed with “the quality of work” that she came in person to the Habitat for Humanity office in Lower Lake to give her thanks.

“The contractor and volunteers conducted themselves in a professional manner and had such pleasant attitudes” on the job, she said.

Habitat for Humanity President Richard Birk said the organization was pleased to announce that the “A Brush of Kindness” program will be available once again in 2012 in Lake County.

Since its beginning two years ago the “A Brush of Kindness” repair program has serviced 25 homes in Lake County. The program will only continue to do so with the co-operation of volunteers and community support.

Funding is a vital part of the program. Many local merchants and many businesses of Lake County have given their support to keep this much needed program alive, Birk said.

Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to providing low income homeowners with safe and healthy homes. The Habitat for Humanity motto is “a hand up, not a hand out.”

Please submit donations to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1830, Lower Lake, CA 95457 or at their office at 16285 Main Street, Lower Lake, CA.

To apply for the Habitat for Humanity’s home repair program or to volunteer some hours to help with this program, please drop by their office, 16285A Main St., Lower Lake, call them at 707-994-1100 or visit them on the Web at http://www.lakehabitat.org .