Stay Safe in the Heat

County health officials are reminding us of a few simple precautions to stay safe and healthy as temperatures are expected to hit triple digits in some parts of the county this week.

“Avoid exercising during the hottest times of the day, between10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and keep an eye on seniors and young children in your family and neighborhood.  These age groups are most at risk of suffering heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D. M.P.H., County Public Health Officer.

Signs of heat stroke include: body temperature higher than 103 degrees, lack of sweating, rapid pulse, headache, nausea, confusion and even unconsciousness. If a person has these symptoms, move the person into the shade, use cool water to cover the body, and call 911.

Take similar steps if your pet suffers from heat stress, and take the animal to the veterinarian immediately.  Also, never leave pets or children unattended inside a vehicle at any time. Temperatures can quickly reach deadly levels even with windows slightly open and in mild weather.

Other tips to keep cool:

• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, and give your pet fresh, cool water.
• Stay indoors as much as possible, and if you don’t have air conditioning, keep windows slightly open with shades closed, or go to a Cool Zone location.
• Pace yourself while doing physical activities.
• Bring your pet indoors, and walk your pet before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. when temperatures are cooler. Hot concrete and black top can burn and blister your pet’s paws.

More tips and Cool Zone locations

More information on Pets and Heat

Beaten Border Puppy Celebrates First Birthday

Spirit was just 10 weeks old when she came into the care of County Animal Services.Remember Spirit?

She was the 10-week-old puppy that was savagely beaten at the Mexican border a year ago. Her story captured the attention of people across the county and nation.

Border cameras were rolling as a man threw Spirit over a fence, then beat her. The man fled back to Mexico and was never found.

Immediately after the incident, County Animal Services took custody of the puppy, treated her for multiple fractures and later placed her in a new home. The public’s outrage was displayed in numerous national stories with continued follow-up on Spirit’s condition and rehabilitation.

“It is truly amazing to see the love that Spirit has for all people considering the horrific
suffering she endured at the hands of one person,” said Dawn Danielson, Director of Animal Services.

Spirit's new owner, Lori Shirazi,  recently held a birthday party and fundraiser for the “Spirit Medical Fund,” to help other stray and homeless animals that are in need of extensive veterinary care, beyond what County Animal Services can afford.

For more information regarding animal cruelty investigations or adoptions, contact the Department of Animal Services at (619) 236-4250 or visit www.sddac.com.

Back to School

The County’s consumer expert, Patti Wooten Swanson, offers tips for meeting your school supply budget this year and years to come.

County Annual Report Posted on CWW

It’s been a tough year, and like other government organizations across the state, the County will be facing more trying times ahead.

But there’s reason to be proud. Despite the stress on County government, the County continues to be a well-run, financially sound organization, still delivering top-notch service to residents.

The 2008 – 2009 Annual Report is the County's accounting to the public. And it’s a showcase of the great work County employees do every day.

For the first time, the Annual Report, produced by the Department of Media and Public Relations, was designed to be viewed online. Nothing printed. This "green" version not only saves paper and cuts costs. It makes it available to anyone who's interested in reading it.

You can take a look here.

County Vet Pioneers New West Nile Test

The County Veterinarian's office has developed a new method to test wild birds for the presence of West Nile virus.

Local Crop Values Up, Despite Economy, Drought

Local growers produced another record-breaking year, with crops valued at more than $1.5 billion dollars, a 1 percent increase compared to 2007 values.

“Thanks to an increase in the value of a few key crops, the total value managed to rise in 2008 even though growers were challenged with tough economic times and severe drought,” said County Agricultural Commissioner Bob Atkins.

Crops that increased in value include bedding plants, avocados, eggs, cut flowers and foliage, and herbs. The top crop continued to be indoor flowering and foliage plants, with a value of more than $319 million, although that is a drop of 1 percent from 2007.

San Diego County has more farms than any other county in the US, with almost 7,000, and the 16^th largest agricultural economy. The farms produce more than 200 different commodities due to the wide variety of microclimates.

The crop report highlights the acreage, yield and value of local agricultural production, as well as the diverse programs and services of the Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures. For more information, visit http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/awm/.

Some interesting facts about San Diego County's agriculture industry:

• The number of farms in San Diego County increased 27 percent between 2002 and 2007, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

• San Diego has the sixth highest urban population among counties in the US, but our county also has the 16^th largest agricultural economy.

• Sixty-eight percent of San Diego County farms are between one and nine acres. The median size of a farm in the region is only four acres. Agricultural Commissioner Bob Atkins speaks to the media about the 2008 Crop Report.

• Nearly 27 percent of farms in San Diego County are operated by women.

• San Diego County ranks first in both California and the nation in the production value of nursery, floriculture and avocados. Statewide, San Diego County is in the top five in the production of avocados, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines, floriculture, nursery, eggs, fresh market tomatoes, mushrooms and honey.

• San Diego County has the largest community of organic growers in the state and nation, with 343 farms growing more than 150 crops.

• The National Weather Service describes the county’s climate as the most nearly perfect in America, characterized as Mediterranean, with warm winters and cool summers.

Library Displays Employee's Artwork

CTN.org profiles Oriya Davi, a Library technician and also an artist whose works are on display at the San Marcos branch.

Back to School Without Breaking the Bank

County's Consumer Expert Provides Tips to Stretch Your Dollar

You’ve got a long list of required supplies from the teacher, a tattered backpack that needs replacing and your child’s pleas for some new, fashionable clothes. But, like for many American families, times are tight.

So what do you do? There’s a lot of ways you can ease the burden – by smart shopping and spreading out your expenses, says Patti Wooten Swanson, a nutrition, family and consumer science advisor with the County’s Farm & Home Advisor Office.

 “Let your kids know that this a different budget year and that spending will be a little more restrained,” Wooten Swanson says.

“Make your kids part of the process; talk about wants vs. needs and what you’re going to buy for school,” Wooten Swanson says. According to the National Retail Federation, families will spend an average of $548 on back to school clothing, supplies and electronics this year. But that doesn’t mean you have to.

Wooten Swanson says parents should consider these cost-saving strategies:

• Decide in advance how much you want to spend, and stick to it!
• Use cash, not a credit card, to pay for purchases. People spend more with credit cards, and end up paying more with interest.
• Make a list and then prioritize. Can some items wait a month or two?
• Comparison shop through ads or online before you go to the store.
• Know the school’s dress code before you buy.

See What's Happening Around the County

County Names New Parks Director

Brian Albright has been chosen to lead the County Department of Parks and Recreation.

Albright returns to the County from the City of Carlsbad, where he also served as Parks and Recreation Director. Formerly he served as the County’s Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation from 2003 to 2008, during which time the park system expanded by more than 12,000 acres.

“On behalf of the County’s Land Use and Environment Group, I want to welcome Brian back as a member of our team,” said Chandra Wallar, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer in charge of the County’s Land Use and Environment Group.

“During these difficult economic times, Brian has the necessary knowledge and experience, and he will work to provide the public the best recreational and open space opportunities possible,” Wallar said.

Albright replaces former Parks Director Renée Bahl, who resigned to take a job as the director of Arizona's state parks.

Earlier in his career Albright served as Chief of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities for the City of Alexandria, VA.

Recently Albright was elected president of the American Parks and Recreation Association. He earned a master’s in business administration from American University in Washington, D.C.