On the Eve of July 4: A "Lightning Safety Tip" (Courtesy of USA.Gov)

As July 4 is celebrated here in the US, USA.GOV shared this guidance which I wanted to release--as I wish all the best:

Summer is the peak season for lightning-related deaths and injuries, though people are struck by lightning year-round.

The National Weather Service provides a wide range of information about lightning, including these facts and tips:

General Tips

• No outdoor area is safe when you hear thunder.
• If you hear thunder, find a safe indoor shelter (a substantial building or enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with the windows up).

Indoor Safety Tips

• Stay off corded phones, computers, and other electrical equipment.
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets.
• Stay away from porches, windows, and doors.
• Never lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.

Outdoor Safety Tips

No outdoor area is safe during a thunderstorm, but if you're caught outside with no safe shelter options, take these steps to reduce your risk of being struck by lightning:

• Come down from elevated areas.
• Never lie flat on the ground.
• Never shelter under an isolated tree.
• Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
• Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.
• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as wire fences.

Read some interesting myths and facts about lightning. 

Reflecting Upon a Dream.....

I have been thinking about the evolution of the idea behind this website and the "Dream walk" I have had to put some of the ideas.    This Keiko Matsui song epitomizes the spirit of the evolutionary thought that evolved from a strict site focused on safety to really expand it to think and reflect upon the best that South Orange County California offers.    I hope I can do what I can to take this to the next level to be a resource not just for my own neighbours, but for the broader South Orange County Community

On the Need to Be Safe & Prepared: Community & National Initiatives

A safe and prepared community is the ultimate objective of all.   For 29 Years, National Night Out has been held to underscore the need and the urge for a safer nation.   Laguna Niguel will have its' third annual national night out at Crown Valley Community on August 6, 2013 starting at 5:00 PM.      All key Public Safety Team Members will be there to showcase the vast array of services in suport of a safe and prepared community.

The need to be prepared and be ready to recover from any calamity has been shown time and time again.    The Small Business Administration has created a great portal to help with this.  Please visit:
http://www.sba.gov/prepare to gain further insights.

Not Forgetting.......

A "Thought 4 the Day" to Begin The Week.....

Ideas on Being Safe (Courtesy: Technlious)

This is an interesting idea courtesy of the Technilous Team that I hope is of interest:

June 13, 2013

Apps to Keep You & Your Family Safe Cell phones are personal devices and usually I think of them in terms of what they can do for me. But in fact they're really about communication, and that's incredibly important when it comes to ensuring the safety of my family. For instance today, there are storms coming through the Northeast and I'd like to know what's going on in my parent's town, since they usually lose power. I also like to check in on my daughter to make sure she's made it to school. Both of these tasks I can easily accomplish with my smartphone. There's nothing quite like the peace of mind you get from knowing your loved ones are safe and that you're prepared in case of an emergency. So check out our picks of safety apps you should consider having on your phone. Suzanne Kantra Founder, Techlicious

Some Good News For Capo Unified

Just received from the School District's Legislative Co-Chairs--Great News for Our Children and especially the 54,000 Students of the Capo Unified School District....

​Hello and Happy Summer to all Child Advocates!

Thanks to all who made calls to the Governor and Legislators last week.  I know that for some, this is really outside your comfort zone; however, those calls had a real impact on the compromise budget that was reached by state leaders this week.

Although this compromise is not all we hoped for, the base school funding grant has been increased which will benefit the students in Capo Unified.  Its not quite clear yet exactly how this will impact the CUSD budget for next school year but this will be resolved in the next week or 2 as the CUSD budget is finalized for approval at the June 26 school board meeting.  In fact, there will be a budget presentation at tonight's school board meeting for those interested.

Here is an excellent link to an article by John Fensterwald  which provides a really good explanation of the LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) compromise and also includes some very helpful graphics:

http://www.edsource.org/today/2013/its-a-deal-brown-top-lawmakers-raise-base-funding-in-finance-formula/33350?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdsourceToday+%28EdSource+Today%29#.UbiGw_msiSo

 

The compromise proposal still has to be voted on by the full legislature and we expect that to happen this week, so that the June 15 constitutional budget deadline can be met.

 

Thanks and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions! 
Sue Hill

​ & Leslie Parker​

CUCPTSA Legislative Co-chair

PS. Below is the CAPTA alert with more information and links.

 

 

---

From: California State PTA [mailto:californiastatepta@capta.org]
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 5:43 PM
To: kanderson@capta.org
Subject: Your voice made a difference!

 

If you're having trouble viewing this e-mail, click here.

 

Legislative Alert June 11, 2013 .. Your voice made a difference! Compromise on state budget includes increase in base funding for all students .. A compromise on the state budget and new school funding formula has been reached between the Governor and legislative leaders, and approved by the Joint Budget Conference Committee. While full details are still emerging, the new plan includes an increase to the base grants for school districts that PTA strongly supported. Thank you to all our members who picked up the phone and delivered our message to the Governor and Legislature. The compromise also provides additional resources based on student needs — another critical component supported by PTA. The compromise plan includes both supplemental and concentration grants, though the formulas for these were changed somewhat from what the Governor proposed in his May Revision.  The structure for accountability, transparency and parent engagement in the final proposal has not yet been described as part of the budget deal. In addition, the compromise includes $1.25 billion to support districts with implementation of the new Common Core Standards. Expect a vote of the full Senate and Assembly this week to meet the June 15 deadline to pass an on-time budget, and then the budget would go to the Governor for his signature.    PTA will continue to monitor details of the compromise plan and communicate to our members. For more information, view the legislature's summary of the compromise on the Local Control Funding Formula at: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/711901-lcff-revisedsummary060813.html .... This legislative alert is being sent to subscribers of our Legislative Alerts, Sacramento Update and to all unit, council and district PTA presidents to share with their board members throughout the year. www.capta.org

A "Thought 4 the Week" on the Mission of this Site//An Admonition 4 All

The mission of this site has been to be a forum about the need to be safe.    I view being safe as not just being prepared for emergencies--but also to remain healthy and be proactive about the state of one's health. As we look to Father's Day, this guidance I just saw from USA.Gov is quite timely:

Men's Health Week, which runs until Father's Day (June 16), is a reminder to take control of your health. 

Over the past year, men were 24% less likely than women to see a doctor. This reluctance to seek medical care is dangerous. Many of the health risks that men face can be prevented or treated with early diagnosis. See recommendations for regular checkups and screenings: 

• Screenings for men, ages 18-39
• Screenings for men, ages 40-64
• Screenings for men, ages 65 and older

Get information about a variety of men's health topics, including the top causes of death in men:

1. heart disease
2. cancer
3. accidents (unintentional injuries)

Happy Father's Day to all..and Best Wishes!! :-)

Just a Brief Follow-Up to the Alert from the CDC on Frozen Berries...

I just received this from the Physican Group I belong to.      I wanted to make sure that our Community Was aware:

Nearly 50 reported cases of Hepatitis A in California and other states may be linked to contaminated Townsend Farmers Organic Anti-Oxidant frozen berries sold at Costco markets, according to the CDC. If you have consumed this product, or if you experience any signs or symptoms of Hepatitis, contact your personal physician immediately for treatment. Read the latest information from the CDC as well as what you should do if you've eaten these berries.

The Hepatitis A vaccine is available at your MemorialCare Medical Group physician's office or Memorialcare HealthExpress.The HealthExpress clinics, located inside select Albertsons stores in Huntington Beach, Irvine and Mission Viejo, offer convenient, walk-in care seven days a week. No appointment necessary. Most PPO insurances accepted as well as HMO plans through MemorialCare Medical Group. For locations, hours or more information, go to MemorialCare.org/HealthExpress.

The Latest from the CDC: An Update Only....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating an outbreak of Hepatitis A that may be linked to Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend, a frozen berry and pomegranate seed mix.

As of May 31, 2013, there had been 30 individuals from 5 states infected with Hepatitis A.

The CDC recommends that consumers not eat this frozen food and discard any remaining product.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A occur within 15-50 days of exposure and include:

• yellow eyes or skin
• abdominal pain
• pale stools
• dark urine

If you experience such symptoms, seek medical attention. If you consumed this product within the past few weeks and have never been vaccinated for Hepatitis A, contact your health care provider to see if you should be vaccinated.

Learn more about Hepatitis A.