MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Middletown will be open Monday, Sept. 28, from noon to 6 p.m. to help survivors impacted by the Valley fire.

Regular hours will begin Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The DRCs are operated by the California Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the county and local agencies.

The DRC is located at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., Middletown.

Beginning on Tuesday, hours of operation until further notice will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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

Survivors with losses are encouraged to register for assistance before going to the disaster recovery center by calling 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register.

Online registration is also available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by using a Web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. 

Businesses and residents can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (Deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339).

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

The SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property.

SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property.

These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster . Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild will present Judy Sisneros as the “featured quilter” at the annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show.

The show takes place in Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, at 401 Martin St., Lakeport on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4.

The hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Judy Sisneros is a teacher, author, quilter and lecturer. She has been enthusiastically sharing her techniques with students since 1993. Her approach is to encourage originality and creativity.

Her first workshop was a strip-pieced landscape and her first book was related to that technique, “Simply Landscapes” published in 1994 and now out of print. Her most recent book is “Circle Pizzazz” with C & T Publishing.

Previous successful books were “9 Patch Pizzazz: Fun, Fast & Finished in a Day” (C & T Publishing 2006) has sold over 70,000 copies. “Rectangle Pizzazz” was published in 2008.

Sisneros believes that as quilters the most precious gifts we give, other than our time, are those we make ourselves. Her goal is to help quilters make wonderful gifts for those they love.

Sisneros will be present both days of the show to talk with attendees about her quilts on display. It is an honor and a privilege for Ladies of the Lake to have an artist of this caliber in the Falling Leaves Quilt Show. She has been quilting since 1987 and though she will continue quilting, she is planning on retiring from the lecture circuit in February, so this might be your last chance to meet her.

See Judy Sisneros’ Web site at http://www.judysisneros.com/ to learn more about her.

For more information call show co-chairs chairs Sue Schedler, 408-483-1925; Linda Morrison, 707-245-5217; or Donna James, 707-262-1201.

More information can also be found at http://www.LLQG.org/quilt-show.html .

Editor’s note: Suzanne Lee is a member of the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild and publicity co-chair for the quilt show.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced Friday that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) funds will be available to Lake County.

This is funding for local communities to use for emergency protective measures. Emergency protective measures include all activities that are undertaken by a community before, during, and following a disaster that are necessary to eliminate or reduce an immediate threat to life, public health, or safety.

Examples of eligible activities include the establishment of temporary shelters and community service facilities, critical power generation, demolition of unsafe buildings, and the operation of emergency communications systems.
 
“The federal response to the Valley Fire has been nothing short of spectacular,” said Thompson. “Working with FEMA and other federal agencies we have been able to rapidly secure funds to help suppress the fire, repair our towns, reopen businesses and rebuild people’s homes. We face a long and hard road back, but this assistance will help make sure we fully recover.”
 
Earlier this week, Thompson also announced that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance (IA) funds will be available to help individuals rebuild, repair and replace housing and other personal property not covered by insurance.
 
Thompson wrote to the White House, urging the President to approve IA. And, upon return to Washington, D.C. Thompson had conversations with the White House and Regional Administrator for FEMA Region IX Robert J. Fenton, Jr. about the need to quickly expedite the approval of IA.
 
Individuals can register with FEMA the following ways:

– Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov .
– Apply via smartphone at m.fema.gov.
– Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Additionally, Thompson announced that low-interest Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are now available to help businesses and residents impacted by the Valley Fire.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.

Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Hazard Mitigation (HM) Funds have also made available. These funds provide assistance to the state for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
 
FEMA previously approved the State of California’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Valley Fire.

The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAGP) allows for the “mitigation, management, and control” of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forest or grasslands which threaten such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.
 
The FEMA grant will cover 75 percent of the costs for various fire suppression, safety and recovery needs.
 
The Valley fire, which started on Sept. 12, has burned more than 76,000 acres. The fire destroyed more than 1,900 structures, including more than 1,200 homes. Thousands of people have been displaced.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In coordination with Lake County and the American Red Cross, a food truck strike team, sponsored by Stanford Federal Credit Union, will be at the Lake County Local Assistance Center on Monday, Sept. 28, at noon.

The Local Assistance Center is at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., and will be providing a variety of delicious free lunch offerings for up to 1,000 residents.

The food trucks that will be participating include:

• Red Rooster, offering Mexican foods such as tacos, burritos, tortas and quesadillas to spice up your day;
• Adam’s Grub Truck, offering blended traditional Asian flavors with a contemporary twist of good ol' American comfort food;
• Sam's Chowder, offering Lobster Rolls, Sam's famous New England clam chowder, fried calamari, fish and chips, and more;
• Curry Up Now, offering blend of traditional Indian flavors and street foods presented in a friendly, recognizable way;
• 3 Brothers Kitchen, offering the flavors of the Filipino, Hawaiian, Thai, Vietnamese, and other cultures to take Asian Fusion to a new level.

The idea of a food truck strike team originated with Simon Williams, who works for the Office of Emergency Service in Palo Alto.

Within a couple of days of the Valley fire, he was able to secure funding, the trucks and connect with Lake County and the Red Cross to coordinate a central location to the relief effort.

“By combining forces we can make a stronger impact and help more people at one time,” said Williams. “Individually these food trucks felt they could do little to help, as the travel time and gas costs alone are extremely costly. However with the support of the Credit Union and the Strike Team plan, we are able to pull together to help the community at large.”

“When we heard of the devastation and destruction caused by the Valley Fire we wanted to be a part of the relief efforts for all those affected. The unique idea of a dedicated team of food trucks providing some respite follows our philosophy and that of all credit unions, ‘people helping people.’ All of us at the Stanford Federal Credit Union are here for our community at large during the good and bad times," said Joan Opp, president and chief executive officer of Stanford Federal Credit Union, Palo Alto.

The Valley fire is currently the third most damaging fire in California state history, covering more than 76,000 acres and destroying nearly 2,000 structures, including more than 1,200 homes.

Firefighters have made significant progress and many evacuations have been lifted. On Saturday night, more than 300 people found a safe place to sleep and break from the heat and smoke in American Red Cross and community shelters in California.

The difficult recovery from these fires makes this a frustrating and emotionally draining time for everyone involved. Red Cross mental health volunteers are available to help. Red Cross caseworkers are meeting one-on-one with people to create recovery plans, navigate paperwork and locate help from other agencies.

In some situations, the Red Cross is providing direct financial support to people who need extra help. And in areas where evacuation orders have been lifted, the Red Cross is distributing food and relief supplies to support people as they return home.

Red Cross response by the numbers:

• Served more than 81,000 meals and snacks;
• Supported more than 10,700 overnight shelter stays;
• Handed out nearly 38,000 relief items;
• Provided more than 5,500 health and mental health contacts;
• Opened more than 730 cases to provide individualized recovery support.

People affected by the Valley fire can call 855-224-2490 to learn about Red Cross services available.

The Red Cross currently has the following shelters open in Lake County:

• Grace Church, 6716 Live Oak Dr., Kelseyville;
• Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake;
• Twin Pine Casino, 22223 CA-29, Middletown.

The Red Cross and many community partners are operating the following assistance centers to ensure that the right resources and support are provided to those who have been affected by this disaster:

• Lake County Local Assistance Center: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., Middletown, daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Red Cross Client Assistance Center: Middletown Community Methodist Church, 15833 Armstrong St., Middletown, daily, 7 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is proud to once again host Steve Beal for “History in a Glass, The Story of Whisky,” a whisky tasting and food pairing fundraiser event on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Beal is keeper of the Quaich, a 2015 Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame inductee, and former senior master of whisky for DIAGEO, the world's largest producer of whisky, including Bulleit Bourbon & Rye, George Dickel Tennessee Whiskeys, Johnnie Walker Scotch and many more.

Beal will discuss the role of whisky in our culture from the founding of America to present day.

Guests will sample tastes from several producers paired with a multi-course meal prepared by Rosemary Martin of Rosey Cooks.

The event will be held in the Ely barn from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 7.

Tickets are $75 per person and include the tasting and food pairing. Call 707-279-0493 for your tasting ticket. Guests must purchase in advance by Sunday, Nov. 1, as seating is limited to 40 guests.

Guests must be 21 years of age to participate. Please drink responsibly.

Funds raised through this event will provide support to the blacksmith complex and the museum in general, helping to preserve Lake County’s past, present and future.

The Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road), Kelseyville.

For more information, check out www.elystagestop.com , www.lakecountyhistory.org , www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call 707-533-9990, during museum hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Thousands of Lake County residents are starting down a long and challenging road to recovery. The Lake County Department of Social Services (DSS) wants survivors to know it is there to help.

One of many programs and services available to fire survivors is Disaster CalFresh.

A seven-day enrollment period begins next week, and DSS will offer extended hours, including weekend hours, to help individuals and families access the program.

Disaster CalFresh is assistance to meet the temporary nutritional needs of disaster victims within a 30-day period following a natural disaster such as the Valley fire.

The program provides a month's worth of benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers. Purchase of hot food may be available.

You may be eligible for Disaster CalFresh if your family:

● Lived in or worked in the disaster area at the time of the Valley fire;
● Had a disruption in income;
● Has damage to your home or self-employment property;
● Has disaster-related expenses;
● Has inaccessible liquid resources.

Apply for Disaster Cal Fresh Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, including Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, at two locations:

– Lake County Department of Social Services, 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake, telephone 707-995-4200. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

– Local Assistance Center, Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St., Middletown, telephone 707-987-3113. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.