photography by Julie West 295-7723

This Month, Why don't You...
(The "Finally - Spring is in the Air!" Home Improvement Edition!)
get inspired to fix up your yard at the Memorial Garden Tour. On Sunday, May 1, numerous SCV gardens will be on display at the sixth-annual tour that benefits the Cole William Larsen Foundation via freewill donations. The nonprofit charity supports families of our fallen and wounded military. This self-guided tour will feature gardens exploding with color and fragrance from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 433-9141 www.memorialgardentour.com

keep the bugs out and the breeze in. You spent thousands on gorgeous double French doors and now you're going to cover them with - gasp! - a regular mesh screen? Yuck! Protect your views and maintain architectural integrity with Phantom Screens. These clever screens are entirely out of view when not in use and can cover entry, outswing, French and double French doors. Get a big discount on your new screens with the coupon on page 26; 799-9226 www.phantomscreens.com

spring for a new patio set. Face it. That econo-set you scored from Walmart a few years back has seen better days. We're finally ready to take the "patio set that will last more than a season" investment plunge with a new six-seater from Oasis Garden & Patio. Join us! (Or at least don't blame us when your BFF's butt falls through the sparsely-covered seat of your current set.); 255-9909

Don't miss a great sale. Douglas Furniture is filled to the brim with incredible deals this month in honor of their 36th anniversary. The Newhall mainstay's sale is going on now, so shop early for the best selection; 255-8366 www.dougfurn.com

Stop watering your grass. But first you need to replace it with the newest in soft, natural-looking synthetic lawns. No more water waste, no more brown spots, no more noxious fertilizers. Just a gorgeous kid-, pet- and environment-friendly lawn from MHB Landscape Construction that will eventually pay for itself; 297-5169

plan to plant your plot at the Community Gardens Grand Opening. On Monday, May 9 at 5 p.m., celebrate the opening of the community garden project located within Central Park. The space enables residents to enjoy their own fresh, pesticide- and preservative-free vegetable gardens, harvested from their own plots that will be available for a nominal annual rental fee; 255-4939

clean your pool. If you can't stand swimming when surrounded by calcium-covered, scaly, broken pool tile, there's hope. Pool Tile Saver will repair and clean your tile, stone and concrete with minimum water drainage and without harsh chemicals or acid. Even better, most pools can be completed in a day or less, so you'll be back to the breaststroke in no time; 510-5778 www.pooltilesaver.com

coordinate your upholstered furniture. You can achieve perfect coordination by creating your own custom upholstered furniture, re-upholstered items, slip covers, drapery and bedding. Sofa Interiors (254-9090) has hundreds of frame styles and thousands of designer fabrics and leathers to choose from.

Susie Mullenger, of Macc Design Boutique and Jim Wong of Ambience Furniture

Celebrate the merger of Ambience Furniture and Macc Design Boutique. On Saturday, April 23 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., visit the new location at 25030 Avenue Tibbitts, Unit J, in the Valencia Industrial Center. Grab a free gift (no purchase necessary) and take in the plethora of affordable custom creations for your home; 295-7755

Meet Facey Pediatrics
Facey Pediatrics may be part of a large medical group, but you'd never know it. Each location feels like a small pediatric office, complete with personal, warm staff and medical professionals who really listen to your concerns. With Facey, you get the best of both worlds. The caring, comfortable setting is matched with superior technology, including lab and radiology services on site. Their state-of-the-art electronic medical record system not only assists in providing you the best in care by keeping your child's health information well organized, up to date and easily accessible, but also sends your prescriptions directly to the pharmacy of your choice - saving you time and worry. Facey works diligently to schedule office visits and same-day urgent appointments with your child's pediatrician. This continuity of care is the foundation of a long-term, rewarding relationship that provides great relief and comfort to both child and parent. Of course, convenient urgent-care centers and after-hours on-call physicians are always available to ensure that you and your child are well taken care of, no matter the hour; www.facey.com

Oak Tree Gun Club
Oak Tree Gun Club is Southern California's premier shooting facility. Nestled between Interstate 5 and the Santa Susana Mountains in the Santa Clarita Valley, the family-owned business is located on 100 acres of privately-owned land. They offer trap, skeet, sporting clays, rifle and pistol shooting. Open to the public, guests of all experience levels can enjoy the shooting venues that Oak Tree Gun Club has become famous for. To complete the shooting experience, customers can unwind from a day of shooting at Oak Tree's Signature Bar and Grill. Kids 10 and under shoot for free at the pistol range; 259-7441 www.oaktreegunclub.com

Free Fun at Mountasia!
"Daddy/daughter day." "You got an A on your math test!" "Just because." It doesn't really matter why you're at Mountasia Family Fun Center; all they care about is that you're enjoying time together! Now, get one free attraction (we vote for bumper boats!) when you purchase one. Then treat your favorite kid to a free junior meal at Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour and Restaurant with any burger or sandwich and drink purchase. Both offers expire on May 13, so hurry in - and don't forget your coupons, found on page 49; 253-4FUN (386)
www.mountasiafuncenter.com

Keep your Family Safe
Every year, millions of adults and children are injured in their own home, or the home of others, due to simple safety violations that could have been avoided. In fact, one of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years old is accidental drowning in backyard swimming pools.

Under California law, a homeowner is responsible for maintaining his or her home in such a way as to avoid injury to others. This includes people whom you have invited onto your property, as well as people whom you can reasonably expect to be on your property at any given time, such as a postal worker. In some instances, even trespassers are considered a class of people protected under the law.

It is important to remember that if anybody other than your own family members is injured on your property as a result of your negligence, i.e., failure to maintain the property in a safe order, the injured party can bring a claim against you for personal injuries, which includes medical bills, loss of earnings, and pain, suffering and emotional distress. Assuming that you carry homeowner's coverage, your homeowner's policy should cover the damages to the injured party.

Some of the more common causes of injuries that occur at people's homes are as follows:
dog bites; loose or slippery walking surfaces; hot barbecues; swimming pools and spas; hidden holes in lawns; lawn sprinkler risers; debris from construction; dirt piles; heavy equipment and tools; negligent preparation or handling of food; cracked glass; guns and more.

As homeowners, we have a responsibility to make sure that people on our property are safe. So, next time you are in your backyard enjoying the sunset, look around to see if there is any possibility that you or someone you love could get injured. Then, don't procrastinate! Nothing is worse than an accident that should never have happened.
The law office of Barry Edzant, Esq.; 222-9929 www.valencialaw.com

Tee Off for Community Health
Monday, May 16
Antelope Valley Hospital Foundation Hosts Invitational Golf Tournament Held at Robinson Ranch Golf Course, proceeds from the tournament will benefit the community's healthcare needs, services and programs with tangible local impact. Register by May 1 to enjoy 18 holes, electric cart, breakfast, a barbecue lunch, buffet dinner and deluxe gift pack; 949-5810 www.avhospital.org/golf