Farrell's 253-4FUN (386)

Save Big Money on a Birthday Party Kids will Love
Mountasia and Farrell's Weekday Birthday Specials help Mom and Dad save big while the kids have a great time! Check out the $99 birthday party and the Original Ice Cream Party today. They make it fun, convenient and super affordable. (Where else can you find someone else do all the work while you play with your guests - for less than $100?) 253-4FUN (386)

Make Dreams come True with
Valley Trails Summer Camp
Valley Trails Summer Camp brings 42 years of day camp experience to the Santa Clarita Valley. They are an American Camping Association (ACA) accredited camp, providing children in grades K-10 with safe summer recreation on a beautiful 200-acre campus. Valley Trails relies on the close relationships that are forged between the counselor, the group, and the individual camper to help maintain a safe and fun environment. Kids will have the time of their lives playing with friends with two 500-feet zip lines, two pools, ball fields, go carts, a climbing tower, plenty of craft opportunities, hikes, challenge-course activities and much more. A healthy, balanced lunch is included. Free transportation is offered from Stevenson Ranch, Valencia, Saugus and Canyon Country, and extended care is available, too.

Camp starts on June 11. Check out the free Open House on March 4 and learn about how Valley Trails has a camp that's perfect for your child - from sports to sleep away to water play and more (more details can be found in the ad on page 67). 257-0266 www.vtranch.com

Did You Know?
March is both Poison Prevention Month and Red Cross Month, which makes us think that this also may be the month we should lovingly refer to as "Get your Act Together" Month.
With that in mind, we're sharing some of our "to do's."

Pack Up the Poisons
We're guessing, like us, that you probably don't have a tub of arsenic under the sink. But you probably have bleach, which can cause blindness and even be fatal. Put it up and out of reach. Same goes for prescription and over-the-counter medication. If there are kids in your home (or even frequent young guests who may need to use the potty), the medicine cabinet is not always the best spot to store pills. Curious kids can easily gain access to the space (and we all know that they're better than us at opening child-proof lids). A less public spot may be a better choice.

Gather the Goods
FEMA suggests that each home have a minimum of three to seven days worth of emergency food and water supplies on hand. That means a whole lot of canned/dried food plus at least a gallon of water a day for each member of your family (don't forget the pets!). That may seem like a lot, but you may need the extra fluid for sponge bathing, cooking and first aid.

Let their be Light
Flashlights and lanterns should have fresh batteries, extra batteries and a "home" where they always are returned after use. (We have at least seven flashlights - and, as of this writing, can't find one of them.)

Be Prepared
Ugh - we hate getting gas after a long day at work. But we're guessing that we'd hate running out of it as we're in the middle of fleeing from a forest fire worse. Our belated New Year's resolution is to never let the tank get more than half empty.

SCVi Charter School 877-4269

Technology Creates a More Engaging Classroom Experience
A student wants to learn about music. Is it more engaging to read about it in a textbook or follow along with auto-advancing sheet music while music plays?

A student wants to learn about the civil rights movement. Is it better to read Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in a textbook or, with one tap of a finger, be transported through time by watching it?

When you really think about it, there's no denying that integrating technology like computers, iPads and tablets into the classroom results in a more engaging learning experience. That's because technology inspires creativity and hands-on learning. When students use technology as a tool or support for communicating with others and learning in the classroom, they are in an active role. They are not passively receiving information transmitted from a teacher, textbook or broadcast. They are making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate or display information. They are defining goals and evaluating progress.

Technology changes the teacher's role, too. The teacher is no longer the dispenser of information, but rather a facilitator who sets project goals and provides guidelines and resources - moving from student to student or group to group, asking about the reasons for their choices and providing suggestions, resources and support.

At Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) - a K-12 public charter school with an emphasis on teaching 21st-century skills through project-based learning and the use of technology - students at all grade levels use these engaging technology tools. The school built an innovative wireless network to make the internet safely available to all staff and learners. It uses Open Source technology and generic software applications that provide the same educational advantages without expensive download and licensing fees. SCVi also recently introduced a lease-to-own iPad program after staff and parent representatives took a trip to Apple's Northern California headquarters late last year to learn more about how to effectively use the iPad to take learning to a higher level.

On Friday, March 23, SCVi will hold its annual Vision in Education Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Valencia. Funds raised from this year's event will go towards updating and providing new technology, specifically wifi infrastructure, iPads, Kindles, laptops and more. The evening is open to the public and includes dinner, dancing, auctions, special guest Stephanie Edwards and honoree Dennis King.

"For the future, we are passionate about getting things for our learners that they wouldn't get at other schools," says SCVi IT Director Matt Schnittker.

Call or log on for more information on SCVi, or to arrange a tour.
877-4269 www.scvcharterschool.org

Chiaki Ma

From Shy Girl to Hub Commercial
"When I first stepped into Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts (aka SCSOPA) I didn't know how to act, dance, model or sell my personality. In fact, I was the shy type who didn't like sticking out in the crowd. My mom, thinking it was a great opportunity, enrolled me and my sister in SCSOPA and I met Mike Josten. He looked very friendly and for once in my whole life I actually had an interest in acting. I thought I was going to have no success at all, but I did have some. I auditioned and got into several shows with my sister. Also, we both got an agent for TV commercials and print. I also got to be in a commercial for Hub (surprisingly).

My sister and I spent about two years working with very awesome teachers like Matt Easton, Al Taylor, Sky Sigue and Ashley Martinez. We learned not only how to act, but to model and dance. Double thumbs up for the teachers!

I really like being in SCSOPA. There aren't a lot of opportunities where you just turn up to be in Hollywood (not without an agent, of course). But SCSOPA is a great place to start out and to have success. I bet you'll find it fun when people walk by saying, 'Hey, I saw you on TV last night!'" ~ Chiaki Ma

Chiaki lives in Stevenson Ranch and attends the Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts. 222-7910 www.scsopa.com

All-in-one Veterinary Services Now Available
Canyon Country Veterinary Hospital is Santa Clarita's newest full service veterinary hospital. Their extensive list of services include vaccinations; dentistry; routine preventative medicine; full in-house lab; surgeries including soft tissue, orthopedic, and referral surgeries; laser therapy; ultrasound and acupuncture with Dr. Sandra Kim, who has practiced veterinary medicine since 1999 and has extensive training in both Eastern and Western medicine. Other services include boarding, grooming and even prescription diets for your beloved pets. For your convenience they are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They offer a complimentary exam for all new patients. 424-9900 www.canyoncountryvet.com

What to Do if your Pet is having an Emergency Health Problem
You probably have your children's emergency information at your fingertips. But do you know what to do if Fido (Fluffy or Feathers!) starts exhibiting any of these signs?


If your pet is having an emergency, call your family veterinarian. If they can't be reached, immediately bring your pet to All Creatures Emergency Center during business hours. No appointment is necessary. Upon arrival, staff will gather information, assess your pet's condition and record vital signs. After the doctor has completed the physical exam, a detailed estimate will be presented for diagnostics and/or treatment. All Creatures Emergency Center works closely with your daytime veterinarian to return your pet to their care as soon as possible. They are open 365 days a year with office hours Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the yellow Victorian Building in Newhall, 22722 Lyons Avenue #5. 291-1121

A few days ago, the following questionnaire popped up in our e-mail.
It got us thinking... Take a peek and let's see if you came to the same conclusion.
• What sport can you play basically your entire life?
• What sport is basically at every convention you ever attended?
• What sport is used to raise money for charities?
• What sport is played by business associates to generate more business?
• What sport do adults wish most that they had learned to play as a kid?
• What sport can grandparents play with their grandkids?
• What sport do politicians play when together and with other leaders?
Obviously, the answer is golf. Not so obviously, only a few of us ISCVers know how to play it. And now we're wondering how our lives could have been different had we known the difference between a nine iron and the kind in our laundry room.
We've been thinking about signing our kids up for Scratch Golf Accelerated's Junior Golf Season beginning in March, and now we're wondering if we should sign ourselves up, too! Mention Inside SCV and take 10 percent off. It looks like we'll be seeing you there!
775-0578

This Month Why don't You...
Socialize Mr. Puddles?
Central Bark, Santa Clarita's dog park, is conveniently located within Central Park (it's in the back, right corner). Your pup will benefit from the exercise (bring a tennis ball for instant popularity!) and camaraderie. You'll benefit from the dose of sunshine (Vitamin D!). And your furniture will benefit from a tired, happy dog who doesn't have the energy to chew! Just do your neighbors a favor and make sure that your four-legged pal is current on his or her shots.