Through March 23
Santa Clarita Artists Association Hosts Pet Palooza Art Exhibit
"Pet Palooza" is an art exhibit that's all about our fascination and love for house pets! The show will display the artists' favorite furry, scaly and feathery friends - or a critter they created just for fun. Come see if your favorite pet has been turned into a work of art.
santaclaritaartists.org

"Santa Clarita School of Performing Arts is so much more than just a school: It's a place that supports dreams and provides opportunities to build a career whether it's for acting, modeling, voice over or songwriting - and they have classes for all ages! The list of options is incredible and the staff is fantastic, too. Everyone is knowledgeable in their craft and truly cares. They're dedicated to helping every student advance. I came to this school back in 2003 and, now more than 20 years later, I am bringing my daughters Arya and Lyra! Long story short, we love it and it is no secret that anything is possible if you believe!"
Irene Ajemyan-Lake

courtesy of Shutterstock

When it Comes to Protecting your Child's Oral Health, Here's How to Make a Real Difference
Toothbrushes can feel funny in a child's mouth. Toothpastes and flosses can taste yucky. And no one - kid or not - likes it when another person says, "Open up! I'm going to clean your teeth!" when you're in the middle of your favorite activity or trying to rush out the door.
Parents often have an uphill battle when it comes to keeping their child's oral health intact. "It creates a lot of shame for many parents, most often moms," says Valencia's Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS. "It's not just the kids that can develop an aversion to the practice of brushing and flossing their teeth. Caregivers are already overwhelmed and adding a dysregulated child who doesn't want to brush to the mix can feel like too much."
"We work hard to let parents - especially moms, who are usually the ones booking dental-care appointments - know that there's no judgment here," says Dr. Tong's longtime office manager Becky Short. "Your child having cavities or some decay doesn't mean you're a bad parent. In fact, you're a great parent for getting them into the dentist and taking care of it! I work at a dental office and my kids have had cavities! It happens."
So - how can overwhelmed caregivers make a long term, meaningful difference in their child's oral health - even when kids resist brushing and flossing?
More influential than anything, says Dr. Tong, is parent behavior. "You can buy all the Barbie or Transformer toothpastes and brushes in the world, but if caregivers aren't modeling healthy oral hygiene habits, it'll be a tough sell to small kids. We encourage our parents to make brushing and flossing fun alongside their kids. Put on a silly tooth brushing song and scrub together. If your child is nervous, give yourself ample time to take it slow and reassure. They'll get there!" says the beloved Valencia dentist.
"As a parent, I know how stressful morning and bedtime routines can be," explains Office Manager Becky Short. "But when we make brushing and flossing a tense, hurried experience, our kids are going to pick up on that. Set the alarm for a few minutes earlier and start night time practices a little sooner so that no one feels upset or stressed out during teeth time. Before you know it, they'll be doing a great job brushing and flossing on their own."
Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS 268-6284

courtesy of Shutterstock (left)

This Month, Why don't You...
Plant citrus trees with the kids this spring? You're just a few seasons away from lemonade stands, homemade lemon bars and a big boost to your culinary skills when you plant a lemon or other citrus tree together as a family this spring. Generally planted in full sun, citrus trees can be a low-maintenance fruit-bearing way for kids to learn about where our food comes from - and how they can grow some of their own.
(On the hunt for a new lemon bar recipe? Here's one of our favorites!)

Make Spring Extra Sweet
Your friends and family will be "hoppy" to see this adorable Bunny Bundt cake decorated with plush bunny ears, velvet feet and a cute little carrot.
Nothing Bundt Cakes 291-2424