There are so many things to do with your family in the month of April! Read on and don't forget to visit our online calendar section for up-to-date events!

Time to get your Swim On
Swimming is the only sport one can do - literally - from first breath to last. It is a lifelong skill with benefits that cannot be replaced or duplicated by any other sport. Swimming is a skill that all Californians need. People swim at pool parties, beach outings, on hot afternoons at a friend's house... Children gain confidence and self esteem by knowing how to swim well. Children, as well as adults, also need to know their limits and what they can do to help when another swimmer is in trouble. Maybe now is the time for the kids (or you!) to learn how to swim. And what better place than Academy Swim Club's 90 to 92 degree pool? Water fitness classes are also available; 702-8585

Great Idea!
Cover an entire wall in thematic decor for a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted mural. Signs and Designs will help you go from bland to grand for only $599 (typical 8-foot by 8-foot pre-painted wall, no obstructions). What are you waiting for?; 252-0000

Growing Interest in Community Gardens
Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste wants to know: Are you interested in community gardening in the city of Santa Clarita? "We are hoping to begin community gardens throughout the city that will provide opportunities for families and children to get back to nature and grow things that are beautiful and healthy," says the mayor. Contact her directly with your comments; 255-4395
lweste@santa-clarita.com

The "Good Neighbor" Corner
Help Provide Vital Medications to Neighbors in Need - for Free
You can help Good Neighbor Pharmacy of Santa Clarita Valley provide vital medications for free to those in need in the SCV at no cost to yourself. The In it Together Program provides medication to SCV residents who are unable to afford their vital medications (or medication co-pays) on their own. This program is funded through prescriptions at Valencia Pharmacy (255-7910), Valencia Town Center Pharmacy (291-1800) and Saugus Drugs & Hallmark (296-3980). When a new prescription is filled at any of these three Good Neighbor Pharmacies and the patient designates that they would like to participate in the In it Together Program, the pharmacy will automatically donate one percent of the prescription's cost into the In it Together fund.

The funding comes directly from the pharmacies' payment, and does not cost the patient anything at all. Once a new patient has enrolled to help fund the program any medication that they receive from the three pharmacies will be helping to build the fund for SCV residents; www.valenciarx.com

This Month Why don't You...
(The "Bloom where You're Planted" Edition)

Volunteer at your Community Hospital?
Individuals interested in volunteering at Henry Mayo can contact the volunteer services office for an application form. Depending on the need, applications for the adult program are accepted quarterly. Teen volunteer applications are accepted twice each year; 253-8051 www.henrymayo.com

Take a Hike?
Plan a day hike in one of the beautiful natural areas that have been
protected; there's 4,000 acres of open space that the city has
preserved in perpetuity! Or picnic and play in one of Santa Clarita's beautifully-appointed and well-maintained parks.

Visit the Farmer's market in Old Town Newhall?
Farm-fresh food, handmade crafts, homemade treats, flowers and more can be found every Thursday on Main Street between Market and 6th Street, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

College of the Canyons Junior High Summer Institute Back for Third Season
The ultra-popular Junior High Summer Institute (JSI) at College of the Canyons will return for its third season July 5 to July 30, providing a fun, and educationally stimulating, atmosphere where students can learn, play and grow.
Available to incoming seventh and eighth graders, JSI allows students the option of enrolling in week-long curriculum tracks - taught primarily by College of the Canyons instructors or field experts - in a variety of areas including musical theatre, welding, robotics, animation, video gaming, nursing and engineering.
"We created the Summer Institute with two things in mind: to expose young minds to possibilities that may encourage a career path and to provide an alternative to the traditional day-care style summer camp," said Gina Bogna, director of community education and job development at College of the Canyons. "Hopefully this summer we can provide even more fun and inspiration for our local students."
JSI will run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., from July 5 through July 30 and will consist of four, one-week sessions.
JSI registration is now open. Parents may register their student online or download a registration form online. At a cost of just $125 per child, per week, parents have the option of enrolling their student in a different track for each of the four weeks.
For working parents, an early drop-off option will allow students to arrive at camp beginning at 8 a.m.
This summer, JSI will again be offering a limited number of need-based camp scholarships. To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled in one of the Santa Clarita Valley school districts.
JSI scholarship applications are available both online and in the College of the Canyons Community Education Office, located in Village-110 on the Valencia campus.
All scholarship materials and paperwork must be received or postmarked by Friday, May 14, 2010. Walk-in applications will be accepted in the Community Education Office until 2 p.m. Thursday, May 13.
For more information about the Junior High Summer Institute at COC, to register or to learn more about the JSI scholarship program, contact the college's Community Education Office; 362-3304
www.canyons.edu/juniorhigh