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Summer is "Dental Checkup" Catch Up Time
Kids were finally back on campus this school year - and parents were in no rush to pull them out for their annual health and dental checkups. And while that makes sense, that means that many children are now behind on their recommended semi-annual exams. With a more flexible calendar, summer is the perfect time to get your family's dental care back on the books.
Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS 268-6284

"We have had such a wonderful experience training at Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts. SCSOPA doesn't just teach students how to be good actors, their curriculum empowers you to become a professional. Whether while working on camera or onstage, the media techniques we as a family have gained from SCSOPA have been incredibly useful and have helped us form a strong foundation upon which we have grown and expanded as artists. We were able to book an agent in just the second week of being here! We are truly seeing our money's worth. Invest in something for you and your family's future. Trust us, you won't regret it."
Jeanette Rosales, Hailey & Chris Morales

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3 Ways to Make Water Safer
Childhood drowning is preventable. Supervision is vital, but barriers and alarms guard the water even when you're not there.
1. Fences
Nothing could be simpler. You can opt for a permanent, wrought-iron masterpiece or the flexibility of a removable fence. Whichever option you choose, consider installing a key lock of some type - an ordinary padlock will do. Just make sure the key is placed in some unlikely, inaccessible spot.
2. Safety Pool Covers
These are mesh or solid covers that are pulled taut and secured to the deck at recessed brackets. Flimsy solar covers offer no protection against drowning, but safety covers are strong enough for an adult to walk on. The mesh ones also allow rain to pass through while keeping out leaves and debris.
3. Alarms
You've got a lot of options here: in-pool alarms, gate alarms, door alarms. The technology for in-pool alarms has improved dramatically so that the siren doesn't go off every time a leaf falls into the pool. Gate alarms not only alert you when a child opens the gate, but when an adult fails to close the gate. Some home security companies offer a security system that announces any door that is opened.
So which one should you get? You need to judge what will work best with your family, but ideally you need more than one barrier or alarm - the trick is to wrap your children in layers of protection. Swim lessons, barriers, alarms and educated supervision all work together to keep kids safe.
For more information on swim lessons and water safety, contact Academy Swim Club. 702-8585

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Make Summer Safe for your Pets
Your pet wants to enjoy the summer right along with the rest of their family members. Here's how to keep them safe and comfortable during the summer holiday and heat.
Fireworks
Pets are easily terrified by the sound of fireworks exploding. While there is little that we can do to keep neighbors from celebrating, we can manage our pets differently. First, keep your pets inside - and then turn up the volume. Turning on a television or a radio at a higher-than-normal volume can help drown out the sound of fireworks.
You can also create a den for your pet by blanketing the top and three sides of his crate. This will give him a secure place to rest and relax while you're out enjoying all of the action.
If you take your pet into the backyard, it's recommended that you leash your pet. Most will run to get away from the scary noises. Put your local pet supply store to work and pick out ID tags, collars and leashes; crates; CBD products; thunder shirts; and calming supplements and treats to help get your beloved furbaby through fireworks and beyond.
Heat Stroke
While your dog is part of your family, he's better off being confined to an air-conditioned space during summer heat. That doesn't mean he can't go out for a few minutes and enjoy some of the fun, but be wary of the immediate signs of heat stroke like heavy panting, excessive thirst or drooling, staggering and bright red or dull-gray gums. You can keep Fido cool with puncture-resistant pools; cooling vests and bandanas; booties to protect paws from hot surfaces; travel water bowls; and even doggie ice cream and froyo!
Here's one more way to keep your pet safe this summer. July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month. Make sure your pet's ID tags and microchips are updated.
Pet Supplies Plus is locally owned and located in
Stevenson Ranch. 670-0071

Meet the Instructor: Yvette Tario
Founder & CEO of Dynamic Movement LA
Yvette received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Theatre from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Yvette began her teaching career in 2010, teaching in all dance styles but specializing in Tumbling and Acrobatics. She is best known for touring with Grammy award-winning singer Miguelito, dancing professionally for Norwegian Cruise Line, dancing for Cristina Quinones and opening for recording artist Tyga at the BET Pre-Party Show. She's performed at the House of Blues, Universal City Walk and the Staples Center. Her experiences in the industry only make her more motivated to share all of her knowledge and experience with the new, upcoming generation of performers and she plans to teach her students as many tools as she can to help shape them into their best selves.
dmlastudio.com

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Gilchrist Farm Makes Birthday Parties Magical
Starting at only $499, Birthday Party Packages at Gilchrist Farm offer a ton of fun for up to 20 children and 40 adults, with more guests welcome for an additional charge. Enjoy your own private party space for 2.5 hours; a guided petting zoo; pony/horse rides; corn hole; the Giant Slide and other games; tables, chairs and checkered linens; an onsite party planner and more. Add on options like snow cones, food, games like scavenger hunts, wagon rides and other special experiences that your child and guests will never forget.
Gilchrist Farm gilchristfarm.com

Summer Reading & Travel for the Family
"Oldest Los Angeles" by Mimi Slawoff Tells Local History in Bite Size Pieces
We love a book that can be enjoyed by nearly every member of the family, so when we received our copy of "Oldest Los Angeles," we couldn't wait to dive in. The paperback is filled with images and trivia-friendly details of Los Angeles's oldest... everything, ranging from "Oldest Bowling Alley" (Highland Park Bowl, 1927) to "Oldest Children's Book Store" (Once Upon a Time, 1966) and hundreds of others in between.
Unlike a traditional history book, this one is highly engaging, with short, brief stories about each entry that highlight the people and places that make Los Angeles great.
No surprise here - Newhall, Old Town Newhall, the Old Newhall Jail and other SCV spots - like San Francisquito Canyon - get more than an honorable mention. The cost of this book is worth it for those local highlights alone.
Our plan is to let the kids poke around the book and decide where history will take us this summer.
"Oldest Los Angeles" takes readers on a journey through the past to the oldest buildings, businesses, and neighborhoods in the City of Angels. Explore LA and learn about the whimsical Looff Hippodrome on the Santa Monica Pier, why Pink's Hot Dogs names some menu items after celebrities, and where to find a 250-year-old grapevine (still producing grapes!). The site of California's surprising gold discovery in Santa Clarita - also home to a nearly forgotten ghost town. Read touching family stories about the first Mexican restaurant, El Cholo; the oldest confectionary, FugetsuDo; and
why the Palacios were determined to save the oldest children's bookstore against all odds. Seen through the lens of veteran travel journalist and LA native Mimi Slawoff, "Oldest Los Angeles" is both informative and engaging with insider stories and nuggets of fun facts. It's now available for purchase on Amazon and other online retailers.