SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed September 2010 as Disaster Preparedness Month in California and has urged all Californians to take action now to prepare their families and communities for disasters.

“It is vital that citizens take the proper steps to prepare for a disaster,” said Schwarzenegger. “When Californians take important precautions such as making sure our homes are fire-ready or equipped to handle earthquakes, we can all be more prepared for the real harm a disaster can bring.”

Many Californians have taken initial steps toward earthquake preparedness, but more than 60 percent of Californians have not done enough to make their homes safer and guard their personal finances in preparation for an inevitable, large-scale earthquake, according to a recent California Earthquake Preparedness Survey.

Fewer than 20 percent have participated in neighborhood disaster planning or have received specific disaster trainings and fewer than 50 percent have participated in disaster trainings at work.

“Understanding your level of risk is important, but action is required to save lives and property,” said California Emergency Management Agency Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen. “Every Californian should be prepared to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours after a major disaster. Every Californian is an essential member of our state’s emergency response team. By taking a few simple steps now, each of us can make sure we are better prepared for the next emergency or disaster.”

The California Emergency Management Agency and CaliforniaVolunteers provide the following 10 disaster preparedness tips:

– Identify your risk: What are the hazards where you live or work? Find out what natural or human caused disasters pose a risk for you. Do you live near a flood plain, an earthquake fault, or in a high fire danger area? Are you prepared for an unexpected human-made disaster that can strike any time? Does your neighborhood or community have a disaster plan?

– Create a family disaster plan: Your family needs a plan that tells everyone: where to meet if you have to evacuate; who you’ve identified as an out-of-state family contact; how to get emergency information in your community; and how to take care of your family pets. The plan should include your children's school policies for emergencies and how you will reconnect in case of disaster. Also create an "I'm OK" contact list on your cell phone so you can quickly send updates via text or social media website and make calls to let your family know you are safe and where you are located. Keep contact numbers and emails of family member on electronic devices up to date. You can also register your family's emergency contact information with the National Next of Kin Registry.

– Practice your family disaster plan: After you have sat down with your family and written your plan, practice it. Start by having family members meet at a designated spot outside your home, as you would after a fire or after the shaking stops. Know how to respond in the event of any disaster and whether to stay put indoors or whether to evacuate your neighborhood by car. If your family needs to evacuate, know the proper evacuation procedures and routes as determined by your local emergency services office.

– Build a disaster kit for your home and car: In order to be self-sufficient until help arrives, you need to have a disaster supply kit. Have at least a three-day supply of food and water for all family members.

– Prepare your children: Talk to your kids about risks and what your family will do if disaster strikes.

– Keep in mind those with special needs: Prepare for those with unique needs such as small children, seniors or individuals with disabilities.

– Learn CPR and first aid: Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross today and get trained on basic first aid and CPR. Your training could save the life of a loved one or neighbor following a disaster.

– Secure your space in your home and the workplace: You must secure the contents of your home or office to reduce hazards, especially during shaking from an earthquake or from an explosion.

– Understand post 9/11 risks: Disaster preparedness must account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

– Get involved and volunteer: Donate blood, join a local Community Emergency Response Team, educate your neighbor or volunteer with your local American Red Cross.

“We recently launched the CaliforniaVolunteers Disaster Corps to coordinate trained disaster volunteers statewide,” said Secretary of Service and Volunteering, Karen Baker. “We urge Californians to volunteer for local disaster preparedness efforts now before a disaster occurs. Trained disaster volunteers are a huge asset in helping neighbors and the community.”

A variety of free online disaster preparedness resources such as a customized family plan, personalized children’s book and disaster preparedness tips are available online at www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org/familyplan.

Additional disaster preparedness resources are available at www.calema.ca.gov.

The text of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Disaster Preparedness Month proclamation is available at http://gov.ca.gov/proclamation/15881/.

SACRAMENTO – Both houses of the Legislature have approved a resolution by Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) urging the United States Congress to establish a comprehensive framework to adapt the nation’s natural environment and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.

Assembly Joint Resolution 26 is now on the governor’s desk.

“We know that climate change is already having a major impact on California’s environment,” Chesbro said. “Sea levels have risen as much as seven inches along the coast over the past century. These impacts are increasing erosion and degrading water quality and they threaten the food webs of fish and marine life in ways not yet fully understood.”

AJR 26 would request that Congress establish an all-inclusive framework, including dedicated funding, for adapting wildlife, habitats, coasts, watersheds, rivers and other natural resources and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.

Currently, California lacks a dedicated funding source for programs to protect the state from climate change.

“It is imperative for Congress to support the states’ strategies to address climate change and provide funding for these strategies to protect the health of our precious natural resources and the communities that depend on them,” Chesbro said. “California understands the importance of addressing climate impacts today. The California Natural Resources Agency, in coordination with other state agencies, has recently developed the state’s first strategy to identify and prepare for impacts already occurring and expected future impacts.”

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The second annual Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Knowledge Faire will take place Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14970 Lakeview Way in Clearlake.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Lake County Fire Protection District and the Lake County Sheriff's Mobile Command Unit will once again be on hand.

Community members are invited to attend and learn from professionals in the community how to have a community emergency evacuation plan; how to make a 72-hour emergency grab and go kit; how to make your family self-sufficient; basic first aid; how to start your own emergency food storage at home; cooking demonstrations with your food storage; and many other great ideas and tips to help you know what to do in an emergency.

Call Lisa for more information at 707-998-1800.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Chef Christina Basor will teach you how to make your favorite Italian recipes, including pizza, using fresh, plant-based ingredients with no wheat, dairy or sugar in a course on Sunday, Sept. 19.

The class will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 375 N. Main St., Lakeport.

The cost is $35 per person, with lunch included.

The menu for the “Raw Italy” class includes almond pizza crust, fresh marinara, pine nut Parmesan and walnut “sausage” – all the ingredients of a delicious raw vegan pizza.

The class also includes Caesar salad with an amazing creamy Caesar dressing, a zucchini linguine marinara and crème caramel.

With the exception of the pizza crust all the recipes can be made in just minutes. The pine nut Parmesan can be made in a large batch and stored for months to use on salads, tacos and everything else on which you want that cheesy taste.

The walnut sausage can top the Caesar salad for a hearty Italian flavor. The crème caramel with the caramel sauce is just like grandma used to make and will quickly be a family favorite.

Come to the class, have fun with friends and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Please RSVP so they will know how many guests to expect. Call Basor at 707-489-3600 to RSVP.

For new class announcements and free recipes visit www.rawchefchristina.blogspot.com.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District boardroom, 19400 Hartman Road.

Under unfinished business, the group will receive a report from Supervisor Jim Comstock and discuss MATH's goals for 2010.

Under new business, the group will hear from guest speaker Karen Brooks, candidate for state Assembly in the First District.

MATH will accept letters of resignation from several members and call for nominations to succeed them, and will discuss MATH's presence on the Middletown Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee.

MATH meetings are subject to videotaping. Meeting proceedings may be available for viewing on public access television and/or the Internet.

A municipal advisory council, MATH serves the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (includes HVL), Long Valley and Middletown.