MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – United Policyholders will host “The Roadmap to Recovery” workshop for wildland fire survivors on Thursday, Oct. 8.

The workshop will begin at 6 p.m. in the Middletown High School multipurpose room/cafeteria, 15846 Wardlaw St.

The workshop will be an insurance recovery orientation and will provide information on navigating the insurance claim process. There also will be time for questions and answers.

United Policyholders is a nonprofit that does not take any money from insurance companies. It was started after the 1991 Oakland/Berkeley firestorm, and serves as an information resource for insurance policyholders.

The organization provides tips, tools and resources to make it easier for disaster survivors to get fair and timely settlements.

For more information, call 800-286-5631 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Visit the United Policyholders Web site at www.uphelp.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Umpqua Bank and Blood Centers of the Pacific have joined forces to promote the upcoming blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Blood Mobile will be in the parking lot of the Lakeport Umpqua Bank at 805 11th St. 

To schedule your lifesaving appointment please visit www.bloodheroes.com and click on “Donate Blood,” then enter the sponsor code UmpquaLP or call 707-280-2563.

The schedule is already filling up so make your appointment today. You will receive a special treat from Umpqua Bank when you donate.

Donors must have ID to donate. Please come well-hydrated and nourished.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center in Middletown is changing its hours.

The Disaster Recovery Center is operated by the California Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the county and local agencies.

The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center in Middletown is located at the senior center, 21256 Washington St.

Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Clearlake Disaster Recovery Center is located at 14860 Olympic Drive, and has the same hours.

Representatives from FEMA, the State of California, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies are among those represented to explain assistance programs and help survivors register.

All Disaster Recovery Centers are equipped with assistive technologies to help survivors with disabilities register for assistance.

FEMA equipped each center with accessibility kits to ensure all people have full access to FEMA information and assistance programs.

The kits include devices to help people with a range of disabilities. Items include but are not limited to assistive listening devices, materials in large print and Braille. American Sign Language Interpreters are available upon request. If you need assistance, just ask.

Survivors can apply for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Main Street Association will present “Shipwreck Day” on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Library Park.

Shipwreck Day features a pirate costume and tattoo contest, local café grub, grog tasting, vendor booths and activities for the entire family.

Come in costume or not, sing along with pirate shanties and the Divas. Feed the kitty and show off your knot-tying skills.  

The Soper Reese Theatre at 275 S. Main St. will show a pirate movie after the event. 

The entire community is invited, and the event is structured for pirates of all ages.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC), the legal aid organization that regularly serves and provides free legal services to Lake County residents, and the Lake County Bar Association are collaborating to provide legal assistance to survivors of the recent Lake County fires.
 
Private attorneys are working with LSNC and the Lake County Bar to help cover the increased need for services as a result of the fire. 

The services provided will include advice and counsel on the most common legal issues that arise for affected individuals such as landlord-tenant issues; federal disaster assistance benefits issues; replacement of important documents; and, other fire related legal matters.

Individuals who are low-income or seniors (60 years old or older) who need legal assistance on a legal matter resulting from the Lake County fires should contact LSNC at (toll free) 877-529-7700 or 707-462-1471.

Individuals who are not eligible for services from LSNC may contact the Lake County Bar Association directly at 707-263-5759.
 
Individuals seeking full representation for a legal matter should consult the Lake County Bar Association’s Web site for a list of attorneys by practice area.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Northshore Community Center, formerly the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, is hosting its monthly gathering of North Shore Poets and Song Writers on Wednesday, Ot. 14.

This is a monthly event on the second Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the center, 3985 Country Club Drive.

All poets and songwriters from Lake County are welcome. Coffee, tea and refreshments are provided but feel free to bring other snacks to share. 

This is a free community event with all present having an opportunity to read and/or sing. An audience is appreciated. If you want to accompany your shared writing, feel free to bring your instrument.

If you are a poet or songwriter, you are invited to join them. Everyone over age 18 and all styles of presentation are invited to the gathering.

For more information about services or the North Shore Poetry and Song Writer Gathering, call the Northshore Community Center at 707-274-8779.

The center continues to be a not-for-profit that serves Northshore seniors and other community populations with on-site lunches, Meals on Wheels, activities and advocacy.