n Aug. 18 there was a small earthquake, but are you prepared for The Big One?

drop Join millions of other Californians as they “drop, cover and hold on” Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m. during the Great California Shakeout. The statewide event – the largest earthquake drill ever – will remind all of us exactly what to do when the ground starts shaking: Drop to the floor (ideally under a heavy desk or table), cover your head and hold on to a solid object until the quake stops. More than 5.4 million Californians took part last year. The Pasadena Fire Department is urging all local residents, families, businesses, schools, government agencies, institutions and community-based organizations to follow suit.

Register as a participant, find out how to host a group drill, look at local fault maps and learn how to prepare at www.shakeout.org.

Then sign up for Pasadena Emergency Response Training (PERT) provided by Pasadena Fire personnel. After a major earthquake emergency crews will focus on critical needs first and may not be able to help you and your neighbors right away. PERT gives you the skills you’ll need to stay self-sufficient for up to 72 hours – from preparedness to first aid, fire suppression, light search and rescue, and much more.
You can attend a free PERT training Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at La Salle High School, 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., sponsored by District 4’s council member (limit 100 people; register at www.cityofpasadena.net/district4 or call
744-4740). Or schedule your own training for a neighborhood group or community organization of 20 or more by calling 744-7276. For complete details, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/fire/pert.asp.

Back to School, Back to Safety

Nothing feels worse than being away from your child during an emergency. Roads may be shut down and your children may need to stay at school for awhile until you can reach them.

Many Pasadena campuses will ask that you send a “comfort kit” at the start of the school year to help keep your child calm, safe and fed after a disaster. The Pasadena Fire Department recommends that you stock the kit with extra clothes, a space blanket and small flashlight with batteries, plus non-perishable snacks, bottled water, travel toothbrush and toothpaste. Label everything with an expiration date. You can also tuck a reassuring note inside with a family photo and activity books. Don’t forget to include a list of medications your child may need plus an index card with emergency information and an out-of-state contact in case phone lines are tied up.

For more tips visit www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster or call 744-7276

Build Literacy Skills at Your Local Library

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Step into your neighborhood branch or visit www.cityofpasadena.net/library to get your very own card and gain access to thousands of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, e-books, the Internet, databases, homework help and much more. It only takes a minute!

Residents of Northwest Pasadena and Altadena can build their digital literacy skills this fall through a free workshop series called HOT! (Hands on Technology) sponsored by Flintridge Operating Foundation and Women at Work. Sessions in English and Spanish are scheduled in September and October at La Pintoresca Branch Library to cover computer and Internet basics, e-mail, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and how to build a website. Call 744-7268 for more information.

Step into the world of social networking with “Facebook for Grown-ups” Friday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library. This free workshop will explain what Facebook is, how it works and how to create your own page. Call 744-7268 to sign up.

A Fresh City Website is Easier to Use

Find something fun to do, zap an e-mail to an elected official, schedule a bulky trash pick-up, search the library catalog or register for a tennis class in mere minutes with the new-and-improved www.cityofpasadena.net.

Following up on suggestions from users, the site – www.cityofpasadena.net – has been revamped to make it much easier to find exactly what you’re looking for. The clean new look includes iconic images from throughout the city plus an easy-to-use navigation system.

Click on personalized menus for residents, visitors, businesses or government visitors, check out the latest city news, browse through an interactive events calendar or try quick links to online services and frequently requested information.

Stumped? Try the new, more powerful search box in the upper right corner of every page.

Watch for additional features and functions in the next few months.

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