Help Your Kids Swim Safely This Summer: Drowning Prevention Tips

Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. Let's put a stop to this, courtesy of these reminders from the CDC.

Tips to help you stay safe in the water

• Supervise When in or Around Water. Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision”, be close enough to reach the child at all times. Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children, even if lifeguards are present.
• Use the Buddy System. Always swim with a buddy. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible.
• Seizure Disorder Safety. If you or a family member has a seizure disorder, provide one-on-one supervision around water, including swimming pools. Consider taking showers rather than using a bath tub for bathing. Wear life jackets when boating.

• Learn to Swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning. However, even when children have had formal swimming lessons, constant, careful supervision when children are in the water, and barriers, such as pool fencing to prevent unsupervised access, are still important.
• Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could save someone’s life. HANDS-ONLY CPR INSTRUCTION VIDEO
• Air-Filled or Foam Toys are not safety devices. Don’t use air-filled or foam toys, such as "water wings", "noodles", or inner-tubes, instead of life jackets. These toys are not life jackets and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
• Avoid Alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
• Don’t let swimmers hyperventilate before swimming underwater or try to hold their breath for long periods of time. This can cause them to pass out (sometimes called “shallow water blackout”) and drown.

If you have a swimming pool at home:

• Install Four-Sided Fencing. Install a four-sided pool fence that completely separates the pool area from the house and yard. The fence should be at least 4 feet high. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward with latches that are out of reach of children. Also, consider additional barriers such as automatic door locks and alarms to prevent access or alert you if someone enters the pool area.
• Clear the Pool and Deck of Toys. Remove floats, balls and other toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use so children are not tempted to enter the pool area unsupervised.

Information courtesy of the CDC at www.cdc.gov/safechild.

COMPILATION OF LOCAL VENTURA COUNTY AREA SUMMER SWIMMING OPTIONS

Another Outstanding Baby's First Laugh Video Guaranteed to Make You Smile

Everyone needs a good laugh, including 3 month old babies. This father can't stop laughing after experiencing the giggles, repeatedly, from his little one. Thanks to Conejo Valley Guide Facebook follower/friend Deanna for bringing this must watch video to our attention.

Although the primary goal of this site is to highlight events, activities and things to do around Ventura County and surrounding areas, we're suckers for a great laugh. Here's another recent great laughing baby video.

Baby Laughing Hysterically at Dog Eating Popcorn is Sure to Bring Joy to Your Day

If this video does not bring a smile to your face, let alone a good laugh, I don't know what will!

Click this link for over 70 activities geared towards little ones and for birthday party options in and around Ventura County check out this popular compilation.

Artist Explores Modern Womanhood at Buenaventura Gallery in Downtown Ventura

"No Women Allowed" by Gwenlyn Norton
Buenaventura Art Association will exhibit recent works by Gwenlyn Norton in a solo show, Counterpoised — One Woman’s Perspective, from June 17-July 12 at the Buenaventura Gallery in downtown Ventura.

“The artworks depict the fractured roles of the contemporary woman and how we may be poised to redefine and ease those fractures,” said Norton, who has expressed herself in many media over a 50-year art career, often about women’s issues.

This exhibition will include eight or more creations by the Oak View artist in oil paints and mixed media on canvases 3 by 4 feet to 4 feet square, plus some associated poetry, that she said represent her reflections on the 20th and 21st-century woman. Their titles include “American Burqa,” “Ageism,” “No Women Allowed,” and “Letter to Granddaughter.”

Norton’s vividly painted pieces often incorporate wood, modeling paste, paper and gel. She will be present to talk about her art and her artistic process at an opening reception 5-7 p.m. June 21 at the gallery. Among the adjectives she uses to describe her work are “bold, dramatic, twisted, distorted, unnerving, exploratory” and “asymmetrical.”

In addition to oils, Norton works in pencil, pastels, acrylics, cold glass, and in mixed media that include textures from sawdust to cheesecloth layered into her paintings.

Examples of Norton’s artistry in a range of media and subjects can be viewed online at www.gwenlynsgallery.com.

Her solo exhibition will be on view at the Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday.

For more about the show or the Buenaventura Art Association, a nonprofit artists cooperative celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or phone 648-1235 during gallery hours.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Highlight Their Favorite Date Night Eateries

Recently we ran a drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page where we asked folks to indicate their favorite "date night" restaurant in the Conejo Valley or anywhere in Ventura County. There were nearly 150 entries in the one day drawing and the following restaurants were the top 10 mentions.

Top vote getters in a recent survey for "date night" eatery were Mastro's and The Melting Pot!1st Place: Mastro's Steakhouse and The Melting Pot (tied with 11 votes each)

3rd Place: Holdren's Steakhouse (10 votes)

4th Place: Paul Martin's (9 votes)

5th Place: Wood Ranch BBQ (8 votes)

6th Place: Blue Stove at Nordstrom (7 votes)

7th Place: Lure Fish House (6 votes)

8th Place: Bandits BBQ, Cho Cho San and Café Firenze (5 votes apiece)

Honorable mentions with 2 or more votes include Cheesecake Factory, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Ladyface Alehouse, The Grill on the Alley, Buca di Beppo, Outback Steakhouse and PF Changs.

Mastro's was no surprise to me. The Melting Pot had a surprisingly solid showing, with some very strong supporters. Paul Martin's, which opened in Westlake Village in December 2012, also has a very healthy showing of fans. Lure Fish House originated in Camarillo in December 2010 and has expanded into Westlake Village and Ventura. Cafe Firenze in Moorpark made a solid showing too.

Previously we ran a separate drawing asking followers their favorite family restaurants. Check it out at this link.

The Free Clinic of Simi Valley Has Provided Services to Local Residents Since 1971

The Free Clinic of Simi Valley has provided continuous service to local residents since its establishment in 1971 as a non-profit, volunteer-based community service organization. It's mission is to provide medical care, counseling, dental and legal assistance to individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes those of all ages, ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds, who are unable to use traditional sources within the community.

These services are provided through the generosity of volunteer professional. Through the efforts of over 160 volunteers, the Free Clinic had over 17,000 client contacts with 7,600+ people in 2013.

The Clinic further serves the community by assisting in the training of the next generation of professionals.

The Family Counseling Program provides those interested in becoming Marriage and Family Therapists, the necessary training and supervision, as part of the requirements for licensing in California. To date, 48 Clinic interns have become licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

Since 2006, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley and Kaiser Permanente have partnered to provide the Family Practice Residency Program. doctors in their third year of residency provide primary care to the Clinic's clients.

The Clinic's Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Program serves as a training ground for pharmacy residents. To date, there have been 13 Ambulatory Pharmacists certified through the training program.

The Free Clinic is supported by the generous contributions of numerous individuals, businesses, service clubs and private foundations. No government funds are solicited for patient care.

The Clinic offers serves on an appointment only basis at its facility at 2060 Tapo Street. The main clinic is open Monday through Thursday and the dental clinic is open Monday through Friday. Hours vary.

Support the Free Clinic of Simi Valley with a donation and learn more at www.freeclinicsv.com or by calling 805.522.3733. Or visit the Free Clinic's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/freeclinicsv.

LEARN ABOUT THE CONEJO FREE CLINIC AT THIS LINK