So How Do We Know About Historic Earthquakes?

So I'm convinced that Dr. Know has been reading my posts. And the fact that this week's question (AGAIN!) focuses on disaster is his super secret way of saying that my love is not unrequited. Check it out:

A colleague gave me this “WWsomething” rag, and I had the misfortune of opening it to your column. So, there was a big coastal earthquake 300 years ago, huh? How do they know? Who was in Oregon in roughly 1711 to know there was “a big one”?—Bill T.

See Dr. Know's answer...and his explanation about why he keeps talking about earthquakes (which, sadly, isn't because of me).

PSA Of The Day: Be A Superhero

For the past few days, I've been sharing blood donation PSAs created for the MOFILM competition. But I've been saving the best (literally) for last.

Up next is the second place winning entry, which comes to us from Remy Neymarc, a student at Portland's very own Lewis & Clark. Pretty cool, right?

P.S. We want to give credit where credit is definitely due. Congrats as well to Remy's brother Andrew Neymarc, who also helped with writing, producing and directing this PSA.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

JAPAN: Red Cross relief in Japan is more than food and blankets. Psychosocial nurses are helping survivors deal with the emotional impact of disaster, while on the other side of the globe the Irish Red Cross has started an online message board for the public to post messages of support the people of Japan.


SOMALIA: The British Red Cross is supporting Somalia Red Crescent efforts to continue providing food, healthcare, water and sanitation facilities in response to a severe drought.

KENYA: The IFRC and Kenya Red Cross are taking early action to tackle drought.

Côte d'Ivoire: Before the fighting started, the city of Toulepleu had a population of between 40,000 and 50,000. Today, just 3,000 people remain in or near the town. Everyone else has fled. The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire have begun providing emergency aid for those who remain.

TUNISIA: Red Crescent volunteers have been caring for thousands of migrant workers stuck in the Djerba airport after fleeing the violence in Libya.

LIBYA: In the still unstable city of Ajdabiya, the ICRC and Libyan Red Crescent staff delivered enough lentils, oil, rice, salt, tea and sugar to 15,000 people to cover their needs for a month. They also distributed blankets, cooking sets and hygiene kits.




GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

PSA Of The Day: Animated States

Because they are awesome, I'm going to share a few of the PSA entries in the MOFILM competition. All relate to blood donation. All are awesome.

See if they inspire you to donate now.

PSA Of The Day: Cup Of Sugar

Because they are awesome, I'm going to share a few of the PSA entries in the MOFILM competition. All relate to blood donation. All are awesome.

See if they inspire you to donate now.

Artwork for Tsunami Relief

Nationwide we are seeing a great deal of support to the American Red Cross for Japanese disaster relief. Now Milwaukie (Oregon) based comic-book publisher Dark Horse Comics is joining in by putting to auction a collection of Hellboy memorabilia with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross. The auction includes original artwork by Duncan Fegredo, several signed limited edition comics, and signed busts of both Hellboy and his partner Abe Sapien;

Original Artwork by Duncan Fegredo – “Hellboy with Origami Crane”
-Signed Books from Duncan Fegredo:
-2 sets of signed comics
-Full Series: Hellboy: Darkness Calls, Hellboy: Wild Hunt, Hellboy: The Storm
-Signed Free Comic Book Day Comic: The Mole
-2 sets of signed and sketched graphic novels
-Hellboy: Darkness Calls, Wild Hunt & Crooked Man

Signed editions from the personal collection of Mike Mignola:
-Hellboy: Seed of Destruction (Limited Edition / Out of Print)
-Signed bust of Hellboy (Limited Edition 1/3000)
-Signed bust of Abe Sapien (Limited Edition 1/3000)

For more information, visit the auction here! The auction ends Thursday morning (April 2nd).

Illustration: Art for Sale/ Dark Horse Blog

Run for Red Cross Brings Over $600 to the Relief Effort!

With a grand total of $640 in combined cash and online donations to benefit the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Disaster Relief efforts, RunOregon hosted an incredibly successful American Red Cross Donation Run this past Saturday! Zipping up their windbreakers, lacing up their sneakers and even wrapping up in the Japanese flag, these runners made an extra effort to support the relief work.

Beyond the time and money that the runners provided, the run also had some great giveaways -Fit Right NW provided gift certificates and Energy Events provided entries to the recent Ft. Vancouver Runs.

The original article, which you can view on OregonLive here, stated that for those affected, "temperatures at night are near freezing, and tens of thousands don't have permanent housing; basic food and water supplies are lacking and getting these supplies to those in need is a logistical nightmare. These are the challenges the American Red Cross is addressing, and your donations will help."

Thanks for making a difference!

Photo courtesy of Kelly Barten and OregonLive.com

PSA Of The Day: Choices

Because they are awesome, I'm going to share a few of the PSA entries in the MOFILM competition. All relate to blood donation. All are awesome.

See if they inspire you to donate now.

Give To Red Cross, Get Airline Miles

From the New York Times "In Transit" blog:

If the scenes of the devastation from the tsunami and earthquake and nuclear crises weren’t enough to motivate you to give to the Red Cross relief efforts, United and Continental Airlines have come up with another enticement: frequent flier miles.

The two airlines, now owned by one holding company, are offering 250 bonus miles to people in their frequent flier programs who give $50 to the Red Cross through April 30 and 500 bonus miles to those who give $100 or more.

The program, which began March 15, helped spur $1 million in donations in a day, according to United Continental Holdings, leading the company to increase its initial commitment to give five million miles toward the program to eight million.

Donors are credited only once — giving $800 in $100 increments won’t get you 4,000 bonus miles. But if you do want to give more, the airlines are also offering frequent fliers a chance to donate up to 1,000 miles to various relief agencies.

Safety Video Contest Finalists Announced!

It's been ages since we told you about the 2011 Safety Video Contest, but quality movie-making takes time and we're just now getting word of the finalists.

Below are my personal favorites, but you can see all 11 finalists right here.

The top three entries will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500 and will earn a matching amount for their school.Contest winners will be unveiled at an April 2, 2011, screening event at Northern Lights Theater in Salem at 1:30 p.m.

(An Early) Friday Final Cut

It's Friday, and once again we find ourselves with a plethora of stories. So here's your final cut...everything that we wanted to share, but don't have time to blog.

Enjoy!

Red Cross Event Focuses on Earthquake Preparedness

Disaster on a Budget: Preparing an Affordable Disaster Kit

Cascadia: The West Coast Fault Line That's "Nine Months Pregnant"
Oregon: We're Due For "The Big One"

The Big "What If?"

Japanese Quake Has Lessons For Us

VIDEO: What To Put In Your Disaster Kit [w/ Steve Eberlein!]

In closing, a word from our Mayor...

Could A Tsunami Flatten PDX?

So I might have a little crush on Willamette Week's Dr. Know.

Sure, according to the illustration he might be a little rough around the edges...but he's super smart and seems to know a lot about disasters, which makes him a man after my own heart. For example, did YOU know the answer to this question?

If a monster earthquake strikes off the Oregon Coast, could the resulting tsunami come all the way up the Columbia River and flatten downtown Portland? —Seismic Citizen

Dr. Know knows!

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

JAPAN: The Red Cross is scaling up relief efforts to meet the huge needs. To date, the Japanese Red Cross has handed out more than 125,000 blankets and 20,700 emergency kits – including portable radios, flashlights and other supplies – to help evacuees cope with the cold weather and lack of electricity. Other badly needed items, such as diapers, baby food, undershirts and face masks, are being procured from within the country as well. In parallel with the distribution of relief goods, Red Cross planners are also consulting with the local authorities to map out other ways of making survivors’ lives more comfortable during their stay in evacuation centers.

BANGLADESH: Since the current crisis erupted in Libya, the ICRC has been helping thousands of Bangladeshi workers who have fled the country.

SOMALIA: With ICRC support, the Somali Red Crescent Society has opened two new health clinics in conflict and drought-affected regions to serve more than 100,000 people.

WORLDWIDE: The ICRC is helping Latin American prisons eradicate tuberculosis. Meanwhile other members of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network are addressing TB around the world in places like China, India, and Siberia.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

A Love Letter To Japan

Get out your tissues before you hit play on this video - a beautifully filmed message of love from students at Handong Global University in South Korea to those affected by the earthquake in Japan. It's guaranteed to warm your heart.

What else (besides the beautiful message) is cool about this video? The music is from an album called Emergency Songs (how did I not know about this album before?), a concept album based on The Big One (the earthquake that will hit home one day, and that we all need to get prepared for... granted, these musicians are talking about L.A., but it's just as likely - if not more likely - to happen here in Oregon).

Okay, now for those tissues...

Filling Your Tummy For Japan

As a self-proclaimed PDX foodie, I feel it is of the utmost importance to point out two tasty ways to support Red Cross Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami relief efforts while filling your tummy with delicious, delicious food.

First, over at Bamboo Sushi (widely thought to serve up some of the best in PDX), they're offering a $25 gift card to anyone who donates $25 to the Red Cross through the restaurant's relief fund. Check out their menus to see how far your newfound certificate can go!

Second, the folks from KOifusion (one of the most popular food carts in the city) are throwing an "Art & Soul For Japan" fundraiser tomorrow night, featuring raffle tickets, a silent auction and, of course, delicious Korean tacos. The prizes sound amazing (check out the grayling jewelry necklace!).

Eat up!

National Presence, Local Look

Who doesn't love a good PowerPoint?

Okay, so maybe it's not the most dynamic and engaging format, but it is useful for conferences. And it's exactly what we used to share our perspective at this year's Nonprofit Techonology Conference, held last week in DC.

Because I know you're dying of curiousity, here's the incredible, brilliant and totally stimulating slide deck for the fascinating and compelling session led by Gloria Huang, Kristiana Kocis and me!

National Presence, Local Look: How the American Red Cross Succeeds in Social Media with the Help of Local Chapters

View more presentations from riaglo

Supporting Japan In Style

There's no question that Japan is without comparison when it comes to fashion and style. From Hello Kitty to Harajuku, this country has inspired incredible design creativity...and, stateside, our own artists and designers are proud to step in with their support.

Here are just a few amazing items I've spotted -- all of which are offering proceeds to support Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief.

Hey JoJo Studios (Portland) Hope For Japan Poster -- $25

Wieden + Kennedy (Portland) Help Japan Poster -- $25

Opening Ceremony Red Cross Japan Tee -- $30

Kate Spade Hearts Japan Tote Bag -- $18

Little Girl, Big Heart

We got a visit today from a little girl named Alanna. She's 4 1/2 years old, and after seeing the devastation in Japan on the news she decided to donate the money she had saved in her piggy bank.

I took this photo of her handing her donation directly to our Development Director, and it just about melted my heart. So much sweetness, world knowledge and generosity in such a young person. I have a feeling she'll grow up to do good things.

Thanks, Alanna!

What Every Person Should Have In Their Disaster Kit

Thanks to Lauren Woodward for being such a fantastic media interview!

Friday Final Cut

It's Friday, and once again we find ourselves with a plethora of stories. So here's your final cut...everything that we wanted to share, but don't have time to blog.

Enjoy!

KGW had a series this week looking at various impacts of a potential quake on the Portland area-

Monday - Bridges
Tuesday - Buildings
Wednesday - Schools
Thursday - Homes
Friday - Hospitals

Do you have a zombie plan?

The Zombie Bite Calculator Quiz - How long do you have before you become infected?
Run From Zombies In Your Own Neighborhood With Google Street View
How Much I've thought about what I'd do in a disaster...(hint: Zombies dominate)

Nation's Eyes on Oregon's Earthquake Preparedness

In the wake of the tragedy in Japan, local and national news have been striving to answer the question are we prepared for when it will happen here?

The short answer is no. In Oregon, many don't consider earthquakes an issue because we simply haven't encountered them. A reason for Californians moving to Oregon has been to escape quakes. Yet Oregon has a dark history of far more powerful earthquakes than either California or Japan. According to scientists at Oregon State University, there is a one-in-three chance that a major quake will strike in the next 50 years somewhere between Newport and Northern California, along the southern fault of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Oregon receives a similar sized earthquake to the one that struck Japan (9.0 magnitude) once every 300 to 1,000 years, with the last being 300 years ago along the at-risk subduction zone. Furthermore, aftershocks from a major event can strike fault lines similar to those plentiful in the Willamette valley at a shallow level similar to what hit Christchurch, New Zealand a month ago.

Japan has long been the example of the most prepared country for Earthquakes and Tsunamis, and even they were caught off guard. For example, after 31 years of construction the city of Kamaishi completed the Kamaishi Tsunami Protection Breakwater (coastal defense structure) in early 2009, recognized by Guinness World Records as the deepest. Having faced many tsunamis before with no problem, many stayed at ground level trusting their seawall. However the 14 foot tsunami breached the seawall, flooding the city and providing dramatic video. The true impact of the tsunami remains to be seen, as responders have yet to reach much of the city.

Watch the attached video from CNN featuring the 'Prophet of Doom', Earth Science officer for the state James Roddey, to hear his predictions for what Oregon can expect when the big one strikes here.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

JAPAN: Medical teams are operating out of hospitals and mobile clinics treating survivors, while other Japanese Red Cross teams focus on search and rescue and caring for the very large number of people in evacuation centers. As the number of people missing following the earthquake continues to grow, more languages have been added to the family links website to assist people anxious for news about loved ones in the disaster area. For more info, read our FAQs regarding the earthquake in Japan.

IRAQ: The ICRC has announced plans to expand its micro-grant initiative to help disadvantaged Iraqis start their own businesses and begin earning much-needed income.

GAMBIA: The ICRC has assisted 677 returnees from Libya.

LIBYA: One month after armed violence broke out, the fighting continues and is now spreading to the country’s most populated areas. The ICRC has transferred its staff in Benghazi to the eastern city of Tobruk, where it will continue to assist victims of the conflict.

SYRIA: The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent have begun to distribute clean drinking water to more than 21,000 vulnerable people in drought-stricken governorates.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Brent Leong: 2011 CPR Hero

Get out the kleenex for this one...

Lisa Lyver: 2011 Professional Rescue Hero

Watch the video.

Ryan Van Vactor, Annette Sansburn & Bella Pointer: 2011 Fire Heroes

Watch the video.

\

Mike Borreggine: 2011 First Aid Hero

If you wanted more of Mike Borregine (and survivor Shawn Jett!), see their whole hero video here:

"A Battle Between A Young Man & A Chicken Nugget..."

This morning, we held our biggest event of the year -- the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions, honoring local heroes. KGW morning show go-to guy Drew Carney was on hand for the festivities and hammed it up with a pint-size survivor...you've got to see this clip!

How We Are Helping After the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami

We’ve received an incredible amount of support from the public following the devastating earthquake in Japan and ensuing Pacific tsunami last Friday. As always, we are grateful for your support and will channel your donations in a way that is both responsible and effective in meeting the survivors’ humanitarian needs.

We’ve also noticed that there is some confusion about how the American Red Cross works to provide aid in a situation like this. Below is an explanation that should help clarify.

Officials from the Japanese Red Cross have indicated they would be grateful for donations from the American Red Cross to support their earthquake and tsunami response. The American Red Cross also aided the Japanese during the Kobe earthquake in 1995, and they, in turn, sent us help during 9-11 and Katrina.

We’ve established a designation for Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief. This designation targets relief not only in Japan, but in many other locations that were affected by the Pacific tsunami, including Hawaii and parts of the US West Coast.

As many of you may know, the American Red Cross is a member of the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising the International Committee of the Red Cross and 186 national societies. In this case, the Japanese Red Cross is a strong national society; in fact, they dispatched 95 response teams within the first 48 hours after the quakes hit.

In order to respect the independence of each country’s national society, the American Red Cross only responds to a disaster overseas with the permission of the Red Cross or Red Crescent national society in the affected country. When a Red Cross in another country reaches out for international assistance following a disaster, we can respond by deploying skilled people, mobilizing relief supplies or providing financial assistance. The American Red Cross has a cadre of emergency response workers, who are specially trained in international emergency operations.

At the request of the Japanese Red Cross, we dispatched a disaster management expert from Washington, DC to Japan for a week-long mission yesterday. She will serve on a seven person international team focused on providing high level support and advice to the Japanese Red Cross.

We may provide cash for the rapid purchase of the most needed supplies. If supplies are not available in the affected country, we can release stocks of disaster relief items from our warehouses stationed around the world.

Our support will continue as the full impact of the earthquake and resulting tsunami becomes more clear. We will continue to work with the Japanese Red Cross and provide assistance as determined through this partnership. Our assistance is made possible by the generous contributions from our donors.

Photo: Japanese Red Cross Society
Originally posted by Gloria Huang on the National Blog.

Tsunami Reveals Holes in Education and Communication

I grew up under a tsunami warning siren in Hawaii, and we knew full well that if the siren went off we were to check the local news. The difference in Oregon is that the tsunami could be originating from as close as 50 miles off shore, which when traveling over 500 miles per hour is a matter of minutes before it arrives, making every minute count. Effective communication and pre-established education is paramount, particularly in these tourist-rich areas where many may need assistance in figuring out where to go and what to do.

While the tsunami warnings last Friday may seem like a test, it was real with a woman in Curry county needing rescue and the only fatality on the West Coast being a gentleman from Bend that recently moved to Northern California. Crescent City, California was the hardest hit area, only 20 miles from the Oregon border.

Overall the tsunami evacuations were widely successful, however any large scale operation like this reveals issues that can result in delays for the public being notified. A siren atop the Garibaldi city hall and another in Tillamook county failed to activate properly (hand-me-downs from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation), and Curry County's reverse 911 system had a hardware glitch. The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (which is responsible for warnings along the West Coast) ran into bandwidth issues with significant delays in getting alerts and other information out through their website. In many cases, direct conversations with Police and Firefighters were the first notifications individuals had with the evacuation. The existing system involves many tiers of communication (city, county, state, national, relief groups organizations like the Red Cross) that are now being analyzed for how responders and the public can be better educated for efficient communication.

Communications has been a priority for State Disaster Response officials and the Oregon Red Cross after a communications breakdown following the Klamath Falls earthquake in 1993, that shut down the established communications lines and led to a delay in response, and following the national events during September 2001. The Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network (OWIN) is currently a major investment that the State is finalizing in helping all levels communicate quickly and efficiently.

There are many things you can do to help prepare: Donate to your local Oregon Red Cross chapters to help fund disaster relief preparedness, become a Red Cross Volunteer, or review our Tsunami tips and share them with those around you.

Photo: KATU

Grant Writing Workshop Coming To Portland!

Grant writers provide an indispensable asset for nonprofit organizations when locating project funding (for resources like initiating a new program, purchasing new equipment and even constructing a new building).

If you're looking to use your amazing writing, researching and organizing skills (or looking to gain some), you should attend our upcoming Grants Training at the Red Cross in Portland!

The American Red Cross and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Portland on April 7-8, 2011. This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Attend this class and you'll learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals.

"New England Law Library Consortium has successfully attracted a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the amount of $364,150.00! You can read about our project in this press release. As you might imagine this is a real coup for a small non-profit like NELLCO. In the process of writing the proposal I referred often to my materials from the grant writing workshop." - Tracy L. Thompson, Executive Director, NELLCO

Click here for full event details and sign up today!

For a local contact, please reach Monica Rush at (503) 528-5930 or rushm@usa.redcross.org

Photo courtesy of businessinsurance.org

The Importance of a Tsunami Plan

Many News stations are currently discussing how what happened in Japan could happen in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon also has two plates not too far off shore with the likelihood of a strong, shallow quake capable of producing a major tsunami event. If this were to occur and you were in a Tsunami Hazard zone, you would have a very small window of time to act.

The technology-savvy Japanese culture is allowing unprecedented video and photography from a tsunami, which helps stress the importance of preparedness. Watch the video below to see how residents of Kamaishi, Japan utilized their 11 minute tsunami warning to escape to higher ground.



What would you do with 11 minutes? Do you have a tsunami plan?

Video: (CNN via NHK)

Friday Final Cut

With the activities across the Pacific over the past 24 hours, a lot of Red Cross news and stories of incredible volunteers are making their way across the internet. Here are a few mentions from this area:

Oregon Coast evacuees head home after tsunami warning lifted (Statesman Journal)
Tsunami alert tests Coast (Daily Astorian)
Threat of tsunami has Depoe Bay locals evacuating to Taft High School (Oregonian)

Want to Help? Donate now online or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.

Beyond the Earthquake and Tsunami;

Clark County ‘Real Heroes’ saluted by Red Cross (The Columbian)
Red Cross offers Spanish emergency preparedness class (East Oregonian)
Blood drive to be held for West Linn girl suffering from blood disorder (Oregonian)

Photo 1: Disaster Response Vehicles at Taft High School, Statesman Journal

Photo 2: Clark County Real Heroes Salute, The Columbian

VIDEO: Oregon Tsunami Warning With Margaret Sanner

Tsunami Tips and Resources

(EDIT: The Tsunami threat appears to be over. However, the potential for strong aftershocks could result in more activity. If you are in a Tsunami Hazard zone, it is advisable to be prepared regardless of the situation.)

Late Thursday night (PST) a shallow 8.9 earthquake (one of the most powerful in recorded history) struck off the east coast of Japan, and created a major tsunami. A Tsunami Warning was issued for the Oregon Coast, with a predicted time of arrival just after 7 AM Friday. Tsunamis are highly unpredictable, yet the strength of the quake and early reports from Japan suggested precautions be taken. Here are some of the top links for tsunami preparedness and monitoring;

Oregon Red Cross Tsunami Preparedness Tips
West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (for Hawaii and Pacific Ocean nations and territories; with reports of the tsunami's progress)
Oregon Department of Geology Tsunami Hazard Maps and Evacuation Brochures
National Data Buoy Center (monitors Pacific Ocean wave activity)

You can also check for Red Cross updates through our national Twitter feed.

Image: Tsunami Travel Times, NOAA

Making The Best of a Crappy Situation

You've gotta love human ingenuity.

In the wake of the recent earthquake, many Kiwis were left without water to flush their toilets. Some have made the best of a crappy (literally) situation by constructing outhouses. And not just any old outhouses, but possibly the most awesome outhouses ever.

From Grecian garden tents to the Tardis from Dr. Who, check out these impressive creations.

Moonwalk Over To The 80s Flashback Blood Drive!

TOTALLY RADICAL DUDES AND DUDETTES NEEDED

Break out your leg warmers and parachute pants on Monday, March 14 - it's an 80s Flashback Blood Drive! From 1 - 7:30 PM, the Clark County Donor Center (by Vancouver Mall) is setting up presenting donors with the complete 80s package!

Lucky raffle prize winners (must present to donate) will get bowling packages from Big Al's Bowling or Allen's Crosley Lanes (both located in Vancouver). In addition to the raffle, ALL presenting donors will receive $15 off admission to "The Awesome 80s Prom" aboard The Portland Spirit, a two-for-one-entry pass to boogie down at "80s Video Dance Attack" nights at the Crystal Ballroom (good for one year) and a 50% off coupon for 80s gear at "Bearly" Worn Clothing!

To schedule your appointment, sign up online here. To sign up by phone or for more information, contact:

Teresa Rodriguez
(360) 989-2931
Rodrigueztl@usa.redcross.org

Don't miss it!

Who Knew? Flu Season

There is nothing I don't love about Yahoo's Who Knew videos. So clever! So informative! So much fun to watch!

To prove my point, here's today's effort, which focuses on everything you ever wanted to know about flu season. Watch the video and then check out our flu tips here.

Just remember: It ain't over 'til it's over (and that's still a month or two away...)!

"Join the Red Cross" Youth Design Contest

It goes without saying that youth play a big role in the American Red Cross, as the foundation for future lifesaving efforts. From joining local Red Cross clubs aimed at service, becoming a registered volunteer with Chapter or Blood Services, to providing 20% of our regional blood supply, youth involved with the Red Cross help define where the organization is going next.

In celebration of Red Cross Month, Youth Services is holding a contest that allows youth to provide a visible representation of that spirit. The "Join the Red Cross" design contest asks youth from four age groups (Elementary/Middle School, High School, College, and Young Professionals) to provide visual designs aimed at inspiring their classmates and colleagues. It can be for either print (posters) or digital (web) purposes, and there is no limit to how many submissions can be made. Entries may be used in a future marketing campaign.

Elementary, Middle, and High School students have a chance at winning autographed t-shirts (from Disney Channel stars/singers, and American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet members, Miley Cyrus and Raven-Symoné!). College students and Young Professionals have a chance at a $500 Visa Gift Card.

If you are interested, visit the contest website and make sure to review the full criteria, rules, and logo guidelines (there are great design tips too!). The contest is open now to April 30th, and entries can be submitted as either an individual or a team.

Are you in Grades 1 to 6? You can also enter the Draw & Prepare poster contest to spread the word about earthquakes and for a chance at a $50 gift certificate!

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

LIBYA: ICRC teams have joined forces with Libyan doctors and nurses in east of country to treat people wounded in the fighting while other members of the global Red Cross/Red Crescent network coordinate to help those displaced by the fighting.

GAMBIA: The ICRC and Gambia Red Cross Society are providing more than 400 Senegalese refugees with three-month food rations, sleeping mats, clothing, soap and hygiene kits.

Côte d'Ivoire: The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire are distributing medical and other supplies to hundreds of people who have fled fighting.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Survivors of sexual violence often face further suffering through social exclusion. Using theater, dance and other methods, community members trained to provide psycho-social support by the ICRC encourage relatives and society to accept the survivors.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Save-a-Life Saturday

Tragedy struck in Tucson when Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, among others, was victim of a shooting. Luckily, several bystanders, trained in vital lifesaving skills were able to sustain the life of Rep. Giffords and other victims. It is so important for everyone to be trained in lifesaving skills because we never know when disaster will strike.

The American Red Cross is honoring the victims of this tragic event on March 19 by hosting free hands-only CPR and first aid trainings across the nation. For more information on training sessions throughout the nation, go to www.redcross.org/savealife.

The Oregon Red Cross will be holding 3 free training sessions at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the Willamette Chapter in Salem. To register, call (503) 585-5414. If you are unable to attend and would like to find a date that works for you, check out the class schedule at oregonredcross.org/classes.

Would This Crane Withstand An Earthquake?

Today, Willamette Week's Dr. Know takes on a question that I'm sure has been on everyone's mind:

Like most downtown construction sites, the one near my office is dominated by a very tall, very slender crane. In an earthquake, these things seem like they’d keel right over. Should I duck? —Son of Arlee

Do you know the answer? If not, read it here.

Photo courtesy of drewish

Spreading The Flames Of Hope

When housefires happen, people lose everything.

And when you think about the fact that fires happen every 80 seconds, you realize that that's a LOT of precious memories, destroyed in an instant.

While we'd never want you to experience a fire yourself, we're pretty excited about this virtual experience that's making the rounds on Facebook. Developed by our friends at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago with help from agency Young & Rubicam, the virtual fire will "burn" through your personal photos and give you a sense of the feelings fire victims may experience. Users can help spread the "burn" by posting the experience on their wall, tweeting with the hashtag #80seconds and "burning" their profile picture.

What do you think about this campaign? Will you help spread the flames of hope?

Get The Red Cross Experience and Help Save A Life!

Haiti. Chile. New Zealand.

Our hope is that Oregonians never have to experience a major earthquake, but the reality of a Cascadia subduction zone quake is likely in Oregon's future. On Tuesday, March 15, you have the chance to feel the impact of a major earthquake firsthand with The Red Cross Experience, a free interactive exhibit at the Oregon Convention Center (Hall D) from 9 a.m to 2 p.m.

On your self-guided tour, pass by a home and an office where the earthquake's effects are seen; watch students practice how to Duck, Cover and Hold On; experience a disaster shelter and tour a bloodmobile.

After your tour, continue the Red Cross Experience through a blood donation! You won't even have to leave the room to help save a life. Sign up now (sponser code: MetroPDX) or call 503-528-5603 to schedule your donation slot between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the on-site blood drive (Hall D in the Convention Center).

We hope you'll join us for this firsthand look at the important work of the Oregon Red Cross. The Red Cross Experience is a one-day only event -- don't miss it!

(If you are new to the blood donation process, check out this video link to find out more).

Celebrate Fat Tuesday, Eat A Cupcake!

What better way to celebrate Fat Tuesday than with CUPCAKES?!

That's right -- our incredible friends at Cupcakes Jones have whipped up a special one-day-only promotion. All day long, 5% of proceeds from your cupcake purchase will go to support your Portland Red Cross. How delicious!

While all of their flavors are delectable, I'll point out that on Tuesdays, you can walk out with Chocolate Banana, which is one of my favorite combos of all time.

And, in MORE good news, any orders you place and pay for today (by phone -- 503-222-4404 -- or in-person) for parties, weddings and other celebrations will be included in the 5% promotion.

So get ordering...and if you'd like to pick up something for me, I LOVE their cream cheese and fudge frosting shots. Why bother with cake when you can eat straight up icing? Nom nom nom...

I'm Walkin' To N'awlins

So, I was minding my own business when a convivial thought came to mind…

If I could be anywhere in the world AT THIS MOMENT where would I be?

The answer is a no-brainer for this girl—MARDI GRAS!!! The reason: If you ain't done never seen a spontaneous parade, then you ain't done never been to Mardi Gras.

And I’m not the only one who feels that celebrating Fat Tuesday is jus’ bout as good as sittin’ on a stoop chattin’ wit'ya neighbas (an' keepin’ an eye on 'em too)!

That’s right—Red Cross peeps are currently “keepin’ an eye” on the amazing parades that go down on St. Charles Street in The Big Easy and are also available to aid the estimated 1 million partygoers and observers that are throwin’ down at this moment. And it’s a good thing that Red Crossers are there. The crime in N’awlins increases dramatically during Mardi Gras and safety has to be a first while meanderin’ down da streets, or eatin’ dem ersters an' po-boys.

Here are some tips to keep ya’ll safe and a quick lesson on speakin' New Orleanese if ya'll are ever lookin' to spend a bit of time in "The City That Care Forgot" (that is seriously one of the city's nicknames!!!)

Cómo Realizar RCP Con Sólo Las Manos

¡De pelos!

Cómo realizar RCP con sólo las manos on Howcast

Red Cross 2-for-1 Night at Oregon Ballet Theatre!

The world premiere of The Stravinsky Project features The Rite of Spring and Firebird, both of which feature a red colored theme. For this reason, our long-time partners at the Oregon Ballet Theatre are offering Red Cross fans a fantastic deal!

Just come to the theatre box office on Friday, March 4 WEARING RED and you can purchase two tickets for the price of one. Even better, OBT will donate $3 to the Red Cross when you take advantage of this deal!

Guests who want to use the 2-for-1 deal should try to arrive early to get the best/most affordable seats available. You can share this amazing offer with your friends and family by signing up for our Red Cross Facebook event!

Call the box office at (503) 222-5538 for ticket prices and availability; visit www.OBT.org for more on this world premiere performance.

Graphic courtesy of wweek.com

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

MEXICO: The Mexican Red Cross, with ICRC support, opened a new mobile clinic providing medical care for migrants near the border with the United States.

LIBYA: In response to medical needs, Libyan Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been collecting blood, evacuating the wounded and working in the hospitals. The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network is working together to coordinate humanitarian response to the crisis.

Côte d'Ivoire: A month after inter-community clashes erupted, ICRC and Ivorian Red Cross volunteers are maintaining their assistance - providing emergency supplies, medical aid, and safe drinking water for thousands.

ARMENIA: Last month, theICRC and the Fuller Centre for Housing Armenia launched a joint program in Tavush province aimed at helping improve living conditions for the families of persons who went missing in connection with the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

NEW ZEALAND: Among many ongoing earthquake relief efforts, sixty Red Cross welfare volunteers are working with the Christchurch City Council, going door to door in teams of two, to check in on affected people in the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch.

GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Who Knew?

In honor of Red Cross Month, Yahoo! News has put together one of their super cool "Who Knew?" videos all about us! Check it out.

No matter how much you think you already know about the Red Cross, I bet you'll still learn a couple of cool new facts...

March is Red Cross Month!

Today marks the beginning of Red Cross Month! No matter what your cause or passion, you can find endless volunteer opportunities through the Red Cross!

Donate Blood: The Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply to patients in 3,000 hospitals around the country through its national network. The Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region strives to collect nearly 5,000 donations weekly to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients, and other ill or injured people who need transfusions. We serve more than 80 hospitals in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Call 1-800 RED CROSS or schedule your appointment online.

Teach CPR, Emergency Preparedness and More: Sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of more than 200,000 people in the U.S. every year. As many as twelve children between the ages of four and 19 are injured every minute. Become trained to provide lifesaving skills by teaching First Aid, CPR and even Emergency Preparedness classes!

Bring Relief to Victims of Disasters: Fires, floods, earthquakes, snowstorms....Disasters can be difficult and sometimes impossible to predict. Join the Disaster Action Team, which operates 24 hours a day to provide aid for those facing emergencies. In the winter, volunteer with our Warming Centers to deliver comfort to those most vulnerable from the freezing temperatures.

Finally, office and community volunteers are always needed to further support our operations!