This May, Why Don't You...
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo four days early?
The young and/or childless would believe this to be one hard-core "pre-party" suggestion. They'd be wrong. Instead, we are suggesting that you grab your sombrero and head over to a tamer, family-friendlier event in honor of the holiday. On Saturday, May 1, Our Lady of Perpetual Help (23233 Lyons Avenue in Newhall) is hosting a Cinco de Mayo festival complete with arts, crafts, dancing, live music, authentic Mexican food and (ahem) margaritas from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Get your nature on?
For us, there are few SCV points of interest that drum up as many warm memories as the Placerita Nature Center. (Yes, we know it's filled with stuffed, dead animals. What? Does that not scream "warm and fuzzy" to you? At least give us "fuzzy!") On May 8, the PNC is hosting an open house to thank the community for its support over the last year. Check out the refreshed digs and enjoy a day of family activities; 259-7721 www.placerita.org

Honor our veterans?
On Memorial Day starting at 10 a.m. at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, experience flag ceremonies, music, speakers, a flyover by the Condor Squadron, the Hart District ROTC, recognition of veterans and food. Then make your way to the Memorial Wall to read the names of fallen local veterans; 755-8629

(Finally) learn CPR?
Personally, this has been on our to-do list for nearly two decades. Care to join us in one hyper-awesome "check-it-off-the-list" party on May 15? COC's Center for Early Childhood Education will host an all-day workshop that will teach you what to do in case of an accident or emergency situation. The class includes American Red Cross first aid for infants, children and adults, as well as CPR. Successful completion of the class qualifies you for an ARC first aid and CPR certificates, but if you want an ARC card, it'll cost you eight bucks; 250-3708 www.scyouthandfamily.com

The "Good Neighbor" Corner
Saturday, May 8
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Presents Diabetes Wellness Day at Valencia Pharmacy
Held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., this free event is open to anyone who would like to learn more about diabetes. There will be free diabetes testing and discussion of risk factors, free diabetes meters and testing supplies, healthy snacks, raffles, information about both medical and homeopathic treatments, and information about the new Medicare Accreditation guidelines. Good Neighbor Pharmacy can make sure that you are receiving the full benefit of your Medicare coverage for diabetes testing supplies and home medical equipment. Valencia Pharmacy, Medical Equipment and Supply, and Valencia Wellness Center are located at 23550 Lyons Avenue in Newhall;
255-7910, extension 4

HaveFaith...
A Mother's Day Poem
I would not be alive except you carried me until I breathed.
Love I would not have known except you held me when I cried and kissed my wounds.
Ignorant I would be except you read books aloud and made school a priority.
Fearful I would be but you showed me how to turn opponents into friends.
Money may have become my god except you welcomed strangers, cared for the
overlooked and stood up for justice.
I came to know God because you were my first Bible teacher and practiced what you believed.
Because you helped me, I've helped many. Their thanks to me are "thank you" to you.
By Minister Ray Davis of North Oaks Church of Christ 252-2298
www.northoakschurchofchrist.org

Check Out the Only Christian Coffeehouse-style Music Venue in the SCV
Antioch is where community, conversation and connection happen. It's the only Christian coffeehouse-style music venue in the SCV, and you can check it out every Friday night at 8 p.m. There's no cover and it's open to the public.
On Sunday mornings at 11 a.m., worship, serving and loving take place in the presence of Jesus Christ. Says Pastor Jim Girdlestone of Antioch: "We hope and pray that your time here is satisfying, stimulating and inspiring and that you find for yourself a rich sense of community, an honest conversation or two and an authentic connection with
others and this unique place."
Antioch is located at 24422 Chestnut Street in Newhall; www.antiochchurchscv.org

Cole & Luke Green at 11 weeks old.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9
Imagine Spending Mother's Day
in a NICU Far from Home
Now Learn how You can Help
While most moms are eating breakfast in bed or indulging in a much-deserved massage, some mothers are worrying over their family's newest editions in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Odds are, there's more than one SCV mom who will be spending her first Mother's Day not in Santa Clarita, but freeways away from home to bond with her critically-ill baby.

Jaime Green knows the pain first hand.

Cole & Luke Green now, at 4 years old. (photography by Mel Carll)

Nearly two and a half months away from her due date, Jaime gave birth at Henry Mayo via emergency c-section to her 2-pound and 2.5 pound sons, who were whisked off in an ambulance minutes after their arrival because the hospital does not have a NICU.

"I hardly touched them before they took them," remembers Jaime. "I had done everything I was supposed to do during my pregnancy. I was in denial. I was in such a rush to recover from the surgery and get to the hospital they were transferred to in Northridge."

Stories like Jaime's are all too common, which is why Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is working hard to raise funds for a
state-of-the-art NICU, to open in 2011.

"You don't realize how many babies, even full-term babies, need a NICU. I'm so glad that Henry Mayo is getting one. The stress and worry about your babies is enough; you shouldn't worry about
getting on the freeway to be with them," says Jaime.

Which is why her husband Jon, owner of Mint Condition Painting & Moulding (251-5521), is donating 10 percent of each painting job booked April 1 through May 31 to Henry Mayo's NICU fund. You don't need to do anything except schedule the work to be performed before June 15, 2010; 10 percent of the cash value of the work completed will automatically be donated to the hospital. Call today to improve your home - and improve a baby's chance at life.

With philanthropic giving, Henry Mayo can bring the most updated, technologically efficient services and equipment to provide exceptional life-saving care to newborns needing immediate intervention. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation continues to gratefully accept all gifts, large or small, for the tiniest patients; 200-1200 www.henrymayogiving.com

photography by Ted Dayton

Mountasia Family Fun Center Hosts Moms Play Free Day for Mother's Day
What better gift than spending a fun, stress-free day with your child? Fill up on smiles, laughter and hugs - plus a free two-scoop sundae (with purchase of lunch or dinner at Farrell's), and play all day for free when accompanied by a paying child. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mother's Day;
253-4386