90 Days Of (Amazing) Art

Growing up, people would note that my parents are both artists, thus prompting the question: "So Lise, do you have any artistic talent?"

Sadly, the answer was no. Put a canvas (or clay or scissors or glue or fabric) in front of me and I'll just make a giant mess. I am not crafty or artistically gifted in any way. But later in life, I realized two things:

1. Assuming writing is an art, I'm artistic in a different way and

2. Even though I can't draw or paint, I love art and design like nobody's business.

Given this, you can imagine my joy when people who have these incredible skills use them -- not just to create lovely images -- but for actual good. Which is why I'm so in love with 90 Days of Art.

In short, it's one man -- John Beck McConnico -- who's creating 90 pieces in 90 days and donating 90% of the proceeds to the Red Cross. Let me say that again. "An average of one painting, sketch, doodle, or art nugget will be produced per day, for a 90-day period." That, my friends, is a LOT of work.

I really encourage you to check out the online art exhibit. There are some amazing pieces; I'm sharing a few of my favorites throughout this post. You can buy your limited-edition print or framed piece of art until 5 pm on July 10.

Artists, designers and other creative types -- THANK YOU for your efforts to support the Red Cross in innovative and beautiful ways. I may not be an artist myself, but I can definitely appreciate the talent.

Personal Messages From Japan

This was brought to my attention by @ChrisRotvik, who has been doing some volunteer work with the Red Cross. The video comes from the Twitter blog, where they shared the following:

On Twitter, we saw a 500 percent increase in Tweets from Japan as people reached out to friends, family and loved ones in the moments after the earthquake. The video below shows the volume of @replies traveling into and out of Japan in a one-hour period just before and then after the earthquake. Replies directed to users in Japan are shown in pink; messages directed at others from Japan are shown in yellow.

Personal messages from Japan a video by @Twitter on Flickr.

There's another video on the blog that shows retweets.

Pretty incredible, huh?

Fun With Children's Toys! (And Monster Asian Carp)

Really, there are no words...just watch.

Meet Allan McGeough

Meet Allan McGeough.

Allan's the Executive Director of the Mid-Dakota Chapter of the American Red Cross. He's a resident of Minot. And his house is currently 9 feet under water.

Even as he faces his own challenges, Allan knows that it's his job to be there for the people of Minot. And I'm sure it won't surprise you to know that the Red Cross network is there for Allan.

Over the weekend, we deployed our Chief Operations Officer (COO) Eric Corliss for just this assignment -- help Allan keep the business operations side of the local Red Cross running as smoothly as possible during this large-scale disaster. Eric's a long-time Red Crosser, a wonderful resource and a much loved presence at our chapter here in Portland, so I have no doubt he'll be a huge support to the Mid-Dakota Chapter in their time of need.

Best of luck to Eric. And, Allan, our thoughts are with you from here in Oregon.

If you'd like to support relief efforts in Minot and beyond, you can do so here.

Red, White and YOU Blood Drives - July 4th!

The Red Cross will host its annual Celebrate Freedom blood drives on Monday, July 4, 2011. The Celebrate Freedom events help give an important boost to vital blood collections during the summer. Drives will be held in Portland, Vancouver and Salem (see below for details).

This year the Celebrate Freedom 2011 blood drives will include a “Red, White, and You” t-shirt, a free apple pie from Shari's Restaurants, and a “buy one, get one” free coupon to a Portland Timbers reserve game for all presenting blood and platelet donors (while supply lasts).*

In Portland, the newly crowned Miss Oregon 2011 will also be on-hand to greet donors and hand out apple pies. This will be her first public appearance since her crowning on the evening of July 2, 2011.

For your convenience, drives will be held at multiple locations (all on Monday, July 4). Please call 1-800-RED CROSS to reserve your appointment time or click below to schedule online for the drive closest to you.

Portland Donor Center
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
3131 N. Vancouver Ave. Portland, OR

Clark County Donor Center
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
109 NE 82nd Ave. Vancouver, WA

Pearson Air Museum (Vancouver)
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
1115 East 5th Street Vancouver, WA

Salem Donor Center
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
475 Cottage Street NE, Suite 110 Salem, OR

The Celebrate Freedom events are some of the most popular blood drives of the year and appointments are strongly advised. The Red Cross wants this event to be enjoyable for everyone and to provide you with excellent service.

*Coupons can be redeemed for one of these game options: August 21st – 2 pm; September 2nd – 2 pm; or September 27th – 11 am. The “buy one, get one” free coupon must be used in coordination with the purchase of one $10 game ticket. No substitution of prizes will be permitted.

Shop For A Cause: KEEN Shoes

If you didn't already love Portland's KEEN shoes, your heart will beat just a little faster knowing that your sporty summer shoe purchase can help support Red Cross spring storm relief efforts.

And you don't even have to leave the comfort of your desk to shop -- here are a couple of online retailers (Trailblazer and River Sports Outfitters) that are supporting this great promotion. Remember, buy before July 3!

Prepare-aphernalia: Gizmodo Taste Test!

We've blogged Costco's $2,999 1-year, 4-person supply of freeze dried and dehydrated food before.

We ogled the colorful cans, figured out the total number of servings (18,485!) and determined the bargain "per serving" price (16 cents!).

But there's one thing we couldn't tell you about this prepare-aphernalia -- whether or not it tasted good.

For that, we turn to the fine folks at Gizmodo, who bought the behemoth and made a poor, innocent restaurant reviewer give you the high points. Watch the video (only a short clip below...see the full version here) and then tell us...would you make the investment?

Comic Relief

Can you imagine being a kid whose house - along with all your toys, books, games, etc. - was completely destroyed by a tornado? Ugh. It's just heartbreaking.

That's why I was excited to hear about Comics Express. The brainchild of a former editor at Nickelodeon Magazine, it's a project aimed at sending comic books to kids affected by the Joplin tornadoes.

Apparently other folks are stoked about the project too. They've already soared past their funding goal on IndieGogo.

While we've seen a lot of amazing art projects dedicated to international disasters, it's really wonderful to see artists using their talents to help survivors of more local disasters as well.

Bob (Unicycles) Across America!

Slightly reminiscent of Forrest Gump's cross country jog, Bob Mueller, 20, left Portland, Maine on May 17 riding a 36-inch unicycle and intends on finishing in Portland, Oregon in a fundraising ride for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Bob, along with his 18 year-old sister, Laura, are hoping to raise $40,000 for the relief fund -- they're off to a good start, raising $2,475 to date.

Another sister, Annah, 23, has been following the two in her car in case of emergency. Thus far, the only trouble they've encountered has been high winds and a lack of access to bathing facilities. The trio is suppose to touch down in the City of Roses sometime in August.

Follow Bob's journey here!

Tiny Drones + Daytime Mosquitoes = Red Cross Conspiracy?

Our own Dave Brooke spotted this letter in today's Oregonian. It made me smile on a Friday, so I thought I'd share it with you. Thanks for making our day, Alan!

Local buzz

I read with interest this week's story on the miniaturization of drones and reader comments on their possible use for domestic targeting.

So I was especially curious about the new mosquitoes that are being seen locally -- the ones that like to suck blood in daylight ("A new mosquito is hungry to meet you," June 22).

I can report that I have managed to catch one of these new mosquitoes and examine it under my handy home microscope. Along its abdomen, I could just make out the words: American Red Cross.

ALAN MEYER
Newberg

Photo courtesy of Carl Pierce/Multnomah County

Pint For Pounds almost done brewing

Are you weak from a lack of coffee? There is only a week left in our Pint For Pounds campaign, in which presenting blood and platelet donors can enter for a chance at Free Coffee for a year from Boyd's Coffee. That is, an entire pound of coffee each week for an entire year. With 52 weeks in a year that adds up to a lot of coffee, particularly with coffee prices on the rise. There will be four winners from across the region.

The campaign ends on June 30th, and you can sign-up for an appointment online.

Red Cross Hosts Student Art Exhibit Influenced By Japan Earthquake

In remembrance of the March 2011 Japan Earthquake, the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross and senior and junior students from Lake Oswego High School have created a presentation entitled, "The Art of Disaster: Views on the Japanese Earthquake."


This exhibit, put together by Tyler Grant, Red Cross coordinator, is a compilation of 27 mixed media pieces each displaying different perspectives on the Japan Earthquake.

"Each thought-provoking piece tells a story of the Japan earthquake and the events surrounding it in a new and creative way" says Grant.

The exhibit will be on display to the public throughout the summer and can be viewed, free of charge, on the 2nd floor of the Red Cross building during regular business hours at 3131 N.Vancouver Ave.

For more information, contact Tyler Grant at 503-528-5621 or grantt@oregonredcross.org.

REMINDER: Tornado Alley Strikes Portland

Tonight's the night!

Head on over to OMSI's Film Festival for the premiere of Tornado Alley (it'll keep airing through the weekend), a flick that -- with all the vivid qualities of IMAX -- will bring you as close to the eye of a storm as you'll ever want to get.

Tornadoes aren't something we see often in this part of the country (with the exception of Aumsville) though if you've been watching the news, you've surely seen their impact on states including Alabama and Missouri. The only way I'd want to get this close to a tornado is on a giant screen -- if you feel the same way, you definitely won't want to miss this film. Added bonus: You'll get to tour the Doppler on Wheels from the movie!

P.S. Clean-up after the spring storms and tornadoes still continues. If you'd like to make a gift to support relief efforts, you can do so here.

Pit Bull Sasha Receives Red Cross Honor

Some people are afraid of Pit Bulls, but Sasha is not a dog to be feared. Similar to most all-white dogs, Sasha was born deaf and has miraculously overcome many obstacles. She also just received the "Animal Hero of the Year" award from the Oregon Red Cross for her work with at-risk youth.

When she came to the Lane County Animal Services in November 2010 as stray, lead volunteer trainer Micaela Frank immediatley noticed something different in Sasha. Due to her good behavior and willingness to obey, Sasha was chosen as a candidate to visit the Serbu Youth Campus, a center for at-risk juveniles and help educate childen. Sasha now visits the campus regularly, helping to educate the youth about shelter dogs, deaf dogs, pit bulls and dog training. She has also made friends with many of the children.

After seeing the impact Sasha was having on the kids at Serbu, one of the teachers on campus, Mike Washburn, nominated Sasha for the special Red Cross award recognizing exceptional animal heroes. At an award ceremony with more 200 attendees, Sasha received a medal and certificate for her achievements.

Despite all Sasha has done to give back to her community, she is still looking for her forever home. Anyone interested in adopting Sasha can contact SashaThePitBull@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page.

Fashion Icons, Celebrities Create Tees For Japan

In support of the 'Save Japan' campaign, Japanese fashion and clothing line Uniqlo is partnering with Condé Nast Group (publisher of Vogue and GQ, amongst others) to help raise funds for Red Cross relief efforts.

These two companies are working with A-list designers and celebrities from around the world to design t-shirts. Each limited edition shirt will feature words of encouragement specifically chosen by the 10 featured designers: Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga, Cyndi Lauper, Orlando Bloom, Blake Lively, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Charlize Theron.

Uniqlo expects to donate approximately 100 million yen ($1.25 million) to the Japanese Red Cross Society through the sale of these t-shirts at its stores around the world.

The shirts will be available starting June 25 and retail for $19.90. Buy yours 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...

CHINA: The Red Cross Society of China has deployed an emergency water unit to provide clean, safe drinking water to the flood hit Hubei province.

TURKEY: As the numbers fleeing unrest in Syria the continue to rise, Turkish Red Crescent is responding to their immediate needs, providing shelter, meals, health and psychological support in government-run camps close to the border.

SENEGAL: In cooperation with the Bignona medical district, the ICRC has helped build and equip a new maternity facility in an area hit hard by armed violence. "Until now, there was nothing but a basic sheet-metal shelter set up for childbirth," said a nurse from the village.

NIGERIA: A total of 31 teachers from 20 Nigerian universities gathered in Abuja to attend a three-day training course on international humanitarian law organized by the ICRC.

SOMALIA: The ICRC has just completed a distribution of seed and tools for more than 95,000 people in drought-stricken areas.

KENYA: Water from a rock - The Red Cross has completed the Kawalash rock catchment system, a new water project that will benefit some 5,000 residents of the Ol Donyiro area in northern Kenya.


GLOSSARY:

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

It's Tiki Time!

Every once in a while, my personal and professional life intersect...but never as spectacularly as what's coming up on July 15-17.

That's right -- it's time for TikiKon, three fun-filled days when all the beautiful Portland wahines can don their brightly colored vintage Hawaiian dresses (complete with Watteau backs) and dance the night away while sipping exotic cocktails out of one-of-a-kind ceramic mugs. Sounds fabulous, no?

If a taste of the tropics right here in Oregon wasn't enough to tempt you, perhaps knowing that the weekend's festivities support the American Red Cross might make the difference. There is no doubt the tiki gods are appeased by this partnership.

Check out the schedule to see what's coming (don't miss the home tiki bar tour!) and then buy a ticket while they're still $10 off. I hear that more than 50% of the tickets are gone, so now's the time to pick them up.

Mahalo and see you at TikiKon!

TYPE O ALERT - PLEASE DONATE

The supply of type O negative blood at the American Red Cross has dropped to critical levels.

If you are a type O negative donor you can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a lingering summer shortage.

Type O negative blood is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations.

While all blood types are needed during the critical summer months, the Red Cross urges those eligible donors with blood type O negative to make and keep appointments to give blood this summer.

We highly encourage all type O negative blood donors who meet the eligibility requirements to double the difference by becoming a double red cell donor. If eligible, you can give to give two donations at once.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS or click here to find a convenient blood donation location and to schedule a lifesaving blood donation appointment.

Thank you from your American Red Cross and the hospital patients we serve.

Name That Volcano

Quick! Name 15 volcanoes in the next 30 seconds.

Time's up.

Couldn't do it? Don't worry, neither can I. *

That's why I'm so impressed by the people who play Big Think's Mystery Volcano Photo game. Not only do they know their volcanoes, but they can recognize them from even from vague photos like this. Amazing.

So maybe you or I won't win the Mystery Volcano Photo game, but I hope we're all at least aware of the volcanoes that surround us here in the Pacific Northwest - and prepared just in case of an eruption. Can you name just two of our local lava cones? (Not counting Mt. Saint Helens... that's too easy.)

*Though I'm proud to say I can pronounce "Eyjafjallajökull" thanks to this video.

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!

It's Never Too Late To Prepare For Disaster (KTVZ, Bend)

More families being displaced by fire in Mid-Valley (Salem Statesman Journal)

Computerized simulations guide tsunami evacuees to safety (Daily Astorian)

Harwin battles human suffering (The Portland Jewish Review)

Facebook assembles group to plan for disasters (CNN)

Should We Blame Scientists for Not Predicting Earthquakes? (Smithsonian Magazine)

New Hidden Quake Fault Found in California (LiveScience)

Tsunami lit up the heavens: Camera captures quake-triggered atmospheric ripples (Science News)

NOAA Makes It Official: 2011 Among Most Extreme Weather Years in History (Scientific American)

VIDEO: Salem Volunteer Describes Joplin Devastation

Dr. Pat Lacy of Salem describes her experience volunteering with the Red Cross in Joplin, Missouri.

Today Is World Blood Donor Day!

In 2011 alone, nearly 6 million people across America may require a blood transfusion. With no substitute for human blood, those in need rely on the kindness of donors. Through their generous actions, these blood donors prove how one person can make a difference in the lives of many, as one blood donation can help save more than one life.

To raise awareness about this critical issue, American Red Cross Blood Services is partnering with NexcareTM Bandages on the third-annual Nexcare give Program. This nationwide initiative thanks blood donors and encourages others to join the cause, with fashionable Nexcare Bandages marked with the word “give” to show how doing good looks good too.

Additionally, we’re excited to let you know that the “give” app created by Nexcare is now live on Facebook, and can be visited at facebook.com/Nexcare. The campaign kicks off on World Blood Donor Day Tuesday, June 14 and continues while supplies last.

Supermodel Niki Taylor, an American Red Cross volunteer and blood recipient, is serving as the face and voice of this year’s campaign. She credits her survival to the donors and doctors who helped save her life.



Each week, the Pacific Northwest Region must collect nearly 5,000 units of blood in order to help save the lives of patients like Niki who may live here in our own community. The Red Cross is pleased to partner with Nexcare Bandages to thank its loyal blood donors and to encourage those who are eligible to make an appointment to give this June.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a convenient blood drive near you. To learn more about the Nexcare give Program, and to encourage others to get involved, visit nexcaregive.com

Please give today.

June 18: Are You Ready? Class

Click the image to view the event PDF.

Let's Prepare Like It's 1979

The bread of my weekend sandwich came in the form of two visits to the movie theater. One of those slices had the processed, fluffy goodness of Wonder Bread and was written, produced, and directed by J.J. Abrams of Alias, Lost, and Cloverfield fame. (If you are desperately wondering about other ingredients of my weekend sandwich, take a look at an article about the Emergency Preparedness Day hosted by Tigard Emergency Management and the local Latter-Day Saints stake at Cook Park where Red Cross participated or the Emergency Preparedness Fair sponsored by Yamhill County Emergency Management, DOGAMI, and Red Cross.)

I was slow to get on the Lost bandwagon and only recently finished the series. In the name of full disclosure, I did finish it in embarrassingly record time. Taking into consideration my recent foray into the disaster-caused needs of beautiful people on an exotic island after a plane crash, J.J. Abrams has been relatively prominent on my pop-culture radar. Mr. Abrams has a way of reminding us that disaster is imminent and everywhere and none of us are exempt from potential devastation. If he and James Roddey stood in front of a roomful of Oregonians I think every person would have a fully stocked disaster preparedness kit within the hour.

Over this weekend Abrams burst right back in to the foreground of my consciousness when I saw Super 8. However prepared I am, I wasn’t prepared for Super 8 to be a well-constructed, entertaining, nostalgic-inducing, disaster movie that gives each of us several reasons to make or update our emergency preparedness kits. The movie is set during the summer of 1979 in a small town in Ohio and it is filled with allusions to Red Cross related scenarios. The Portland Mercury is right in it's review of the movie, “Super 8 works better the less you know”. Just know that the movie is a great throw-back to the action, adventure movies so popular during my childhood and if you’re okay with letting lose your inner preparedness nerd you can encourage your fellow movie-goers to Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Get Informed.

Are You Prepared?

Regardless of where we live, it is always a good idea to be prepared for an emergency or natural disaster. The recent severe weather to our east is a good reminder to be prepared for the worst. Do you keep an emergency kit in your car and at home? Are you and your family prepared for a power outage? A fire?A big earthquake? Luckily the American Red Cross and numerous other organizations throughout the state provide classes and information on how to get prepared.

In Eastern Oregon, with summer also comes thunder storm, lightening and wildfire season. Officials from the Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross say preparation basics involve three simple steps:

1. Get A Kit

2. Make A Plan

3. Be Informed (and get the proper training to be ready for emergencies)

It is also a good idea to communicate with neighbors and create an emergency plan. If you live in this area a great opportunity is coming up in which you will be able to learn how to better prepare yourself for these instances.

On June 11, The "Community Disaster Preparedness Expo" will take place at Brookswood Meadow Plaza in southwest Bend, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also, tonight, Thursday June 9, James Roddey will be at Willamette University’s Paulus Lecture Hall, at the College of Law, at 6:30 p.m.

Roddey, an Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries official will speak on earthquake preparedness and will discuss effects of recent major earthquakes in Japan and Chile and possible impacts of “the big one” in Oregon.

Roddey will also speak 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the community center in McMinnville, located at 600 NE Evans St.

Roses are Red (Cross)

It's hard to miss all the tents, rides, and ships on the Portland water front. That means we are in the midst of the Portland Rose Festival, and the Red Cross is showing off it's spirit to promote community preparedness! Here are two videos from the past weeks.


On Tuesday, May 31st, the Rose Court made an appearance at the Portland Red Cross building for the annual Courting Donors Blood Drive. The event, held in conjunction with the Rose Festival Association, featured the Rose Festival Queen and Princesses thank donors for their efforts in helping save lives. The Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel also provided donors with rose themed artwork. It is a special event with an important message, as these High School Ambassadors are letting their classmates know that donating over the summer is important as donations tend to decline without high school drives.


Additionally, approximately 50 Red Crossers showed up to march in this past weekend's Starlight Parade. They formed a giant human Red Cross and you can see them in the above video at -3:13.

A little blog-love for one committed woman:

Today I had the pleasure of delivering a disaster preparedness presentation to some of the employees at Ashland Inc. www.ashland.com We were invited by Kim Nutt, the Portland plant’s head of safety and environment. She is highly committed to disaster preparedness in her personal life, and her passion has spilled over into her work life in the best way possible. She is one person propelling the mission of holistic safety and, in my mind, is an example to companies everywhere.

My presentation was during the lunch hour; after the attendees had finished their meals and returned to work, she offered me lunch (which included oysters she had harvested and smoked for the luncheon – so good!) As I ate, we talked about what she is trying to accomplish at Ashland. Nearing retirement, her dream is to leave behind a culture of preparedness, including empowered employees and a store of disaster supplies – She wants enough to last her staff a week if needed.

Still more amazing was her vision and concern for the community at large. Just one example is the work she’s doing to procure a ham radio and license for the plant. The idea is that if a disaster were to occur and the plant lost power or was compromised structurally, the employees could communicate the real-time developments with authorities.

As Kim spoke, my mind went to the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan which resulted from the March earthquakes. I know it could happen here. Ashland processes a variety of potentially hazardous chemicals every day. They are located along Hwy 30, on central rail lines and not far off of the Willamette River. The work Kim is doing could save millions of dollars in post disaster cleanup and save thousands of lives.

I wonder, does Ashland Inc. recognize the work Kim is doing? What are they doing to help her, and what is their commitment to disaster preparedness in other parts of the world? There are many other industries like Ashland all over the city, processing or using hazardous materials. What are they doing to protect their employees and the surrounding community?

If you know of a corporation or group of any kind who would like disaster preparedness information, please contact the American Red Cross. We have free, interactive lessons to facilitate learning about preparedness. You can schedule one by clicking 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...

LIBYA: The ICRC continues to address urgent humanitarian needs, and - in a joint operation with the Mines Advisory Group - has started destroying hundreds of unexploded devices in the city of Ajdabiya.

YEMEN: Four months of civil unrest have taken their toll, with dozens of people killed or wounded. The ICRC and the Yemen Red Crescent are evacuating the wounded and the dead in Sana'a, and helping to supply water to the population. Elsewhere in the country, they are providing first aid for people affected by the violence.

TUNISIA: In the border area of south-eastern Tunisia, a massive influx of refugees from Libya is putting huge pressure on water resources already stretched by increased needs resulting from the onset of the dry season. The ICRC is providing support for the national water board to boost the supply of drinking water in areas of that have been particularly hard hit.

LIBERIA: As Ivorian refugees continue to seek safety in Liberia, the Red Cross is providing seeds and tools to enable the host communities to replenish their depleted food stocks.


GLOSSARY:

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

FEMA Challenge Winners...And A Request

Our friend James Roddey sent me a note yesterday that tipped me off to FEMA's Challenge Award contest winners. [How I missed this entire contest, I have no idea!]

Here's the note and a request straight from the Prophet of Doom himself:

The Map Your Neighborhood program from Washington’s Emergency Management Division recently won an award from FEMA.

MYN is a great program that many of us use or have taken ideas from. But what I found really interesting is there were 186 other submissions for the Challenge Award on the FEMA site and there are enough great ideas in these submissions to give us all a dozen new directions for community based preparedness.

If you get a chance, let me know your favorites.

So take a look and let us know what inspires you. I sent James a note with about 20 top picks -- share yours in the comments!

VIDEO: Count On Us

I'm not sure how much you know about the AmeriCorps program, but I'll attempt to describe it in one word...invaluable.

Thanks to AmeriCorps, nonprofits nationwide have incredible people on their team -- people like our very own bloggers Robin and Nate, both of whom came through that program. I'm not sure why I didn't know more about AmeriCorps when I was just out of school -- I'm pretty sure it's the type of service work (especially the NCCC team!) I'd have loved to do for a year or two.

In any case, this video will give you just a little taste of what our AmeriCorps members do for the Red Cross and many other organizations nationwide. And, if you want to get involved here in Oregon, visit our website!

** Funny thing -- I was about two feet out of the frame for the "Mississippi" shot in the beginning of the video. We tailed along with this exact AmeriCorps team as they did community outreach in Vicksburg...truly a great bunch of guys! **

Saturday: "Blood & Ink" Drive Returns...Win $75 Off Your Next Tattoo!

This Saturday, June 11, members of the Gypsy Queens Oregon Chapter will return to donate blood at the "Blood & Ink" Drive at the Portland Red Cross, located at 3131 N. Vancouver Avenue. The Red Cross encourages others with tattoos to join the Gypsy Queens in donating blood between 7:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

All those who present to donate blood at this event can enter into a free drawing to win a $75 gift certificate to New Rose Tattoo in Portland (4823 SE Division Street). The gift certificate was generously donated by shop owner and tattoo artist Traci Manley.

The Gypsy Queens are part of a national organization of tattooed promotional models who strive to promote a positive image of women with ink and to end the negative stereotypes of heavily tattooed women. By donating blood at the Red Cross, the Gypsy Queens hope to support their mission while helping the Red Cross clear up common misconceptions about blood donation by people with tattoos.

If you think you can't donate blood because of a tattoo...think again!

To schedule a blood donation appointment at this drive, please call 1-800-RED CROSS. The Blood & Ink Blood Drive on June 11 is not limited to the tattoo community; as with every American Red Cross blood drive, all eligible donors are invited to donate blood. Donation appointments are strongly encouraged.

Prepare-aphernalia: A Sleek New Generation of Hand-Crank Gadgets

As you may know, I've been a fan of Etón hand-crank radios for years (yes, that's me proudly displaying a 2008 model). And while they've always been handy gadgets, they've never really been something you're excited to set out on your shelf... until now.

Meet the futuristic new Turbodyne series of Eton emergency radios and flashlights. These aren't your granddad's emergency radios. They're high-tech, cool and sleek. Fast Company design blogger John Pavlus even goes so far as to call them sexy.

Why does it matter how they look? Because, ideally, we hope you're actually using them on a daily basis rather than hiding them away in the closet.

I don't know about you, but I really want one of the new hand-crank flashlights. I dig how it looks like a miniature rocket - or a close cousin of Eve from the movie Wall-E. Eeeeevaah... or should I say, Eeeeetón.

VIDEO: Portraits From A Storm

On April 27, 2011, dozens of tornadoes touched down in the Southern United States. Debris, documents and photos were scattered for hundreds of miles. A woman created a Facebook Page to reunite storm survivors with their memories. Here's the video about how it began...

Portland Parents Get Prepared

I love how lately Portland parents seem to be jumping on the preparedness and safety bandwagon. Sure, they've always done things like baby-proofing kitchen cabinets and keeping hazardous chemicals out of toddlers' way, but now they're doing things like Getting Kits! Making Plans! And Being Informed!

Example A: Metro Parent

I've had a soft spot for Metro Parent since my days at Emanuel Children's Hospital. They do a great job of providing helpful resources and information for families, from schools to summer camps. This month, they're trying to keep families safe and have done a fantastic job of spreading the word. Check it out!

Family Fire Safety, Part 1

Family Fire Safety, Part 2

June issue, focused on safety (see pages 18-24)

Example B: Milagros Boutique

If I had kids, I'd do all my shopping at Milagros. Not only are they a locally-owned business, they're super earth-friendly and organic and natural and awesome. But, even better, they believe in educating parents (especially new ones) so that they can be the best moms and dads ever. Case in point, they've offered Infant CPR for New Parents for a couple years now.

Lately, they've been offering a new class: Emergency Preparedness for Parents. It's totally free and takes place about every other month. If it proves popular, I'm sure we'll be offering it on a regular basis.

So, all of you proud Portland parents, get out there and get prepared!

From The Mouths Of Bloggers

The best endorsements are those that are unsolicited. That's why people love sites like Yelp -- unfiltered, unedited commentary that we feel we can trust.

So rather than me (a paid endorser) touting the Red Cross, I thought I'd share two blog posts from local people who have no vested interest in the success of the organization -- they're just honest to goodness appreciators of the work that we do.

From Julie Green:

At the end of the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) class, a training event called a CERT rodeo took place. It just so happened that the rodeo was two days after Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast. Red Cross was at the event and the representative spoke about the needs of the people in Texas. I had a calling. I wanted to see the situation and help the recovery first hand. Two weeks later, I was in Galveston, Texas, deployed as a Red cross volunteer with the job to help find missing people.

This was a life changing experience. I met people that had lost everything. I met people who needed such basic things as water, prescriptions, and eye glasses to read the forms just to get some assistance. I also met people that were dedicated to providing help for those in need. And I met others, who despite losing everything, still had the dignity and the courage to rebuild. It put everything in my life in new perspective. My problems seemed trivial and my blessings were greater than I had been aware. I learned that serving others delivered a reward that no money could buy. I am most grateful for the gift that trip gave me. Also, I know how vital it is to be prepared for emergencies, because that preparedness will make all the difference in the world if a disaster hits.

Read Julie's entire post -- Why I'm Into Service Work (THANKS Red Cross and CERT)

From Sarah Centrella:

As I write this, I sit in a little dive roadside motel, that in all honesty I could not be more grateful for. I don’t mind its smell of cigarette smoke; it’s dried out and broken pool outside the front door. It’s bad location or general rift-raft. No I’m grateful like never before that myself and my children are safe, and that they are sleeping soundly. Never before has the term “grateful for a roof over my head” meant so much. I’m forever indebted to the American Red Cross for providing us this refuge for the next few days as we try to decide what our next move can be.

Yesterday the in-home sprinkler system went off in my daughter’s room, instantly flooding all 3 levels of the home that we currently rent. By the time the fire department showed up with 2 engines and about 12 firefighters, the damage was done. There was standing water on the 2nd floor (main living area), water pouring through any available outlet in the ceiling like an open faucet. Three inches of water covered the kitchen floor, 3 drains poured on our couch and dining room table, and slowly the destruction made its way to the bottom level (garage) where it settled.

I looked around the house, firefighters in every room, and just put my hands to my face and cried. When the Red Cross disaster relief workers came, and offered hugs I cried harder. When they offered stuffed animals for the kids, a room to stay in and a debit card, tears streamed down my face.

Read Sarah's entire post -- Don't Count Me Out

Big thanks to both of these ladies for sharing their stories and inspiring others. We at the American Red Cross are glad we were there at just the right time -- to encourage volunteerism or to provide those basics of food, shelter, comfort and hope.

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...

HONDURAS: The ICRC is helping to mitigate the effects of violence in schools with a training workshop on humanitarian principles and first-aid in the city of Tela.

Côte d'Ivoire: Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by fighting, other violence and looting over the past few months. The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire have begun to distribute food, seed and other emergency aid in 35 villages east of Bangolo.

AFGHANISTAN: Fighting has been ongoing west of Qaysar since early May, displacing thousands of people from more than 20 villages and triggering a distribution of emergency aid by the ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society in this highly volatile, hard-to-reach part of north-west Afghanistan.

LIBERIA: The ICRC donated a complete sets of books on international humanitarian law, the branch of international law that governs armed conflict, to both the Ministry of Defence and the Liberian armed forces.

ICELAND: When Grimsvötn, a sub-glacial volcano in southeast Iceland, erupted last week Red Crossers immediatley opened two shelters, activated a 24-hour helpline and mobilized psychosocial support teams to help those affected.


GLOSSARY:

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

Pint For Pounds!

Is your blood type "latte?" Come in to donate blood or platelets during the month of June at any American Red Cross blood drive in Oregon or Washington and enter to win free coffee for a year* from Boyds Coffee! All presenting donors are eligible to enter the drawing. Four winners will be selected.

Schedule your appointment at a blood drive near you or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The campaign will begin on June 1, 2011 and end on the June 30, 2011. Winners will be identified across the blood services region, which includes many parts of Oregon and Washington. The four winners will receive one pound of coffee each week. All presenting donors can enter to win and winners will be chosen at random on Friday, July 8, 2011.

Donated blood and platelets can be used to treat hospital patients who have cancer, bone marrow transplant recipients, victims of traumatic injury, and various other blood disorders. One unit of separated blood can provide several components to meet individual patient needs; up to three lives can potentially be saved from one donation.

Donor eligibility involves minimum age, weight and health requirements. Donors must present a donor card, driver's license or two other forms of ID prior to donation. Individuals unable to donate blood can still make a contribution by sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive or volunteering with a local Red Cross Blood Services Region, making a financial contribution, or by learning more about the American Red Cross Humanitarian Services.

Check out the First-Time Donor section on our website, which includes information about what to expect when giving blood, tips for a successful donation, and an explanation of what happens to your donated blood.

*Winners will receive a pound of coffee per week for a year from Boyds Coffee.

SOS! Very Emergency (App)!

In honor of our brand spankin' new ‘S.O.S by the American Red Cross’ free app for Android phones, I give you...The Promise Ring.

And now for the technical details:

Once activated, app users are guided through a victim assessment and receive step-by-step video narration and follow-along demonstrations by Dr. Mehmet Oz. 3-D animations are included for the more complex protocols, specifically Hands-Only CPR and Choking along with an audio and visual counter for real-time CPR compressions.

The Resource Guide covers more than 50 common emergency care situations with easy to understand instructions for treating seizures to broken bones.

In addition to the emergency protocols and resource guide, the S.O.S. app features 9-1-1 dialing that auto-launches a map with location information, while on the call with the emergency dispatcher.

DOWNLOAD IT NOW!

Portland Soccer Fans Give Back!

This past memorial day weekend, the Portland Timbers faced DC United in what resulted in the first home game loss of their inaugural MLS season.

The team may have lost the game, but with captain Jack Jewsbury's roots in the disaster-torn south, they won the hearts of the fans. Money poured in via text message and cash for Red Cross relief efforts following the Spring Storms affecting residents from the deep south to the northeastern United States. With the help of many generous Red Cross volunteers, over $1,650 was raised by individual cash donations alone at the game, and countless more from the text message campaign!

To further illustrate the impact of the donations, check out some of the media coverage of the event from KPTV and KGW below. Also - you can still send donations to help the Red Cross! Just text REDCROSS to 90999 to make an easy $10 donation.

Link to KPTV video coverage: http://www.kptv.com/news/28071583/detail.html

KGW video coverage:


Photo courtesy of Portland Timbers

A Weather Reminder

As I look out my window, I see rain and grey skies. And as I look at the forecast -- lo and behold! -- MORE showers are on the horizon. Yay.

That's why this someecard made me smile for a moment and remember that we have it good here in Oregon, one of the least disaster prone states. See if you don't smile too...and then think about helping out those who really HAVE had bad weather this spring.