..Our Nation's children are our hope for the future, and caring for them is one of our greatest responsibilities. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we renew our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect by promoting healthy families, protecting children, and supporting communities throughout our Nation.

...Although a strong family unit is the best deterrent to child abuse, effectively intervening in the lives of children threatened by abuse is a shared responsibility. Strengthening the bonds within families requires community members and leaders to partner with parents. From schools to local social service agencies, we can work together to protect the well-being of our children by recognizing the signs of violence and creating safe, stable, and nurturing environments that safeguard the promise of their futures.Visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website for more information on the most current resources and national efforts.

• www.childwelfare.gov/Preventing
• Spanish/CDC/MesAbusoInfantil
• The Impact of stress in families,children and youth
• Facts on Violence and Children
  

The San Marcos Swing into Spring Festival is one of North County San Diego's largest annual events that takes place in the heart of San Marcos!
This one day event draws thousands of festival goers each year, and is filled with fun for the whole family! Attendees will get to experience delicious foods and deserts, live entertainment, kiddie & carnival rides, arts & crafts, and much more! The San Marcos Swing into Spring Festival is the perfect opportunity for your business to reach thousands of spectators. Our sponsorship packages allows you to participate in this exciting event, and brand your products and/or services.
The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of San Marcos, will present the festival. The event is expected to draw 250 vendors and 30,000 attendees. WHEN-Sunday April 1, 2012- TIME-9am-5pm-WHERE-Via Vera Cruz (Between Grand Ave. and San Marcos Blvd.) San Marcos, CA -INFO- Please call (760) 744-1270 for more information or visit: www.sanmarcosswingintospring

...Alcohol is frequently used by high school seniors, and its use is increasing. Approximately 11 million American youth under the age of 21 drink alcohol. Nearly half of them drink to excess, consuming five or more drinks in a row, and one or more times in a two weeks period, according to the American Medical Association.

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Families Encouraged to Come and Enjoy Egg Hunts in County Parks. Kids and families will have their choice of enjoying traditional egg hunts, meeting the Spring Bunny, gobbling up a pancake breakfast and just generally having some egg-ucational fun at County parks.Come enjoy an egg hunt, games, face painting and meet the Spring Bunny and park staff!Kids not only get to enjoy a traditional egg hunt, they also will get a close-up look at all kinds of critters - winged, crawly, scaly and slippery - that hatch come from eggs. There will also be a trivia hunt, live animals, themed crafts and lots of hands-on fun! The event is free.
Parking is $3.-WHEN- April 1st-TIME-1 p.m. - 4 p.m- WHERE-San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center "Spring Eggucation" Dos Picos Regional Park-INFO-(760) 634-3026

Families Encouraged to Come and Enjoy Egg Hunts in County Parks. Kids and families will have their choice of enjoying traditional egg hunts, meeting the Spring Bunny, gobbling up a pancake breakfast and just generally having some egg-ucational fun at County parks.Come enjoy an egg hunt, games, face painting and meet the Spring Bunny and park staff! The event is free. Parking is $3.-WHEN- April 1st-TIME-10 a.m. - noon-WHERE-1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar-INFO-(858) 755-2386

About one-sixth of all Americans have high blood pressure and the incidence of this disease increases with age. High blood pressure can cause diseases without any early warning symptoms. High blood pressure can cause arterial disease (atherosclerosis) that can lead to heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. Routine screening tests are part of basic prevention medicine.They allow doctors to find illness and treat it much earlier than they could otherwise. Patients with high risk factors for screened diseases can make sure they don't acquire the illness as well, and if they do they can treat it early on. Sharp Senior Resource Center’s Registered Nurse offers free blood pressure checks. No appointments necessary. Public welcome. No appointments necessary. Public welcome. WHEN-Tuesday, April 3,2012-TIME- 9:30 to 11 a.m. -WHERE-Sharp Grossmont Senior Resource Center, 9000 Wakarusa, La Mesa-INFO-For information, call 619-740-4214.

Join the American Heart Association,UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, and Union Bank to celebrate National Walking Day featuring complimentary health screenings provided by UC San Diego Health System; CPR-AED demonstrations; live entertainment; exciting giveaways; and food samples. Presented nationally by Subway Restaurants and Jenny Craig- WHEN-Wednesday, April 4th., 2012-TIME-12:00p to 1:00p-WHERE-at San Diego Civic Center Concourse, San Diego, CA-INFO- Please visit www.sdheartwalk.org for more information. ____________________________________________

The American Public Health Association and Prevention Institute invite you to attend a free webinar during National Public Health Week.
Participants will learn how to utilize Collaboration Multiplier, a framework and tool for community stakeholders and decision makers to delineate potential roles and identify opportunities for diverse partners to work towards the goal of achieving healthier communities. This presentation will share the lessons learned from various community efforts to address healthy eating, physical activity, and violence prevention utilizing multi-field collaboration.
WHEN-Thursday, April 5, 2012-TIME-1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time- WHERE-Webinar-INFO- Please visit: https://event.on24.com - For questions about the webinar, contact: sondra.dietz@apha.org. If you need technical assistance please contact Conference America at 1-800-925-8000 and reference the APHA webcast on 04/05/12.

Family caregivers learn essential tools for self care and relaxation, techniques to enhance the care you provide your loved one and simple healing touch techniques. Program includes lecture, hands on demonstration and audience participation. Presented by Lisa Goodman, Integrative Care Coordinator, Sharp HospiceCare- WHEN- on Thursday, April 5,2012-TIME- from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. -WHERE- at the Grossmont Healthcare District’s Herrick Library, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. -INFO-Registration required. Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com

APHA and Morgan State University’s School of Community Health and Policy (MSU-SCHP) will collaborate to present the National Public Health Week Forum to address the Correlation of Mental Health, Equity and Substance Abuse, and celebrate Public Health Student Day. David Satcher, Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and 16th Surgeon General, will provide the keynote address. The Forum’s panelists will discuss the importance of preventive measures, the cultural stigmas and association of substance abuse with mental health and emotional well-being. WHEN-Friday, April 6 , 2012-TIME-10:00 AM-12:00 PM-WHERE-WEBCAST from Location: Morgan State University, Murphy Fine Arts Center - Watch the live webcast at http://www.morgan.edu. The stream will be available on Friday, April 6 at 10 a.m. EST. -INFO- Please send an email for more information or visit:http://www.nphw.org/

Families Encouraged to Come and Enjoy Egg Hunts in County Parks. Kids and families will have their choice of enjoying traditional egg hunts, meeting the Spring Bunny, gobbling up a pancake breakfast and just generally having some egg-ucational fun at County parks. Come look for more than 4,000 goodie-filled eggs, hidden in zones specially made for kids aged 2 years and under; 3-5 years of age; and 6 years old and up. Hang around afterward to get a picture taken with the Spring Bunny. $1 donations are requested to support the event. Parking is $3.-WHEN-Saturday April 7, 2012-TIME-10 a.m.-WHERE-Dos Picos Regional Park-17953 Dos Picos Park Rd., Ramona-INFO-(760) 789-2220

Families Encouraged to Come and Enjoy Egg Hunts in County Parks. Kids and families will have their choice of enjoying traditional egg hunts, meeting the Spring Bunny, gobbling up a pancake breakfast and just generally having some egg-ucational fun at County parks.You can join the Spring Bunny for a tasty pancake breakfast, then join the egg hunts arranged by age groups, and enjoy games and contests. Breakfast is $4 for adults and $2 for kids under the age of 12.-WHEN-Saturday April 7,2012-TIME-7:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. (Breakfast); 10:30 a.m. (Egg Hunt)- WHERE-Fallbrook Community Center 341 Heald Lane, Fallbrook, -INFO-(760) 728-1671

Families Encouraged to Come and Enjoy Egg Hunts in County Parks. Kids and families will have their choice of enjoying traditional egg hunts, meeting the Spring Bunny, gobbling up a pancake breakfast and just generally having some egg-ucational fun at County parks. You can join the Spring Bunny for a tasty pancake breakfast, then join the egg hunts arranged by age groups, and enjoy games and contests. Hang around afterward to get a picture taken with the Spring Bunny. Breakfast is $5 for adults and $4 for kids under the age of 12.-WHEN-Saturday April 7,2012-TIME-7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (Breakfast); 9:00 a.m. (Egg Hunt)-WHERE-Spring Valley Community Center- (619) 479-1832

About one-sixth of all Americans have high blood pressure and the incidence of this disease increases with age. High blood pressure can cause diseases without any early warning symptoms. High blood pressure can cause arterial disease (atherosclerosis) that can lead to heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. Routine screening tests are part of basic prevention medicine.They allow doctors to find illness and treat it much earlier than they could otherwise. Patients with high risk factors for screened diseases can make sure they don't acquire the illness as well, and if they do they can treat it early on. Sharp Senior Resource Center’s Registered Nurse offers free blood pressure checks. No appointments necessary. Public welcome. No appointments necessary. Public welcome. WHEN-Monday, April 9, 2012-TIME- 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. -WHERE-War Memorial Building, 3325 Zoo Dr., San Diego-INFO-For information, call 619-740-4214.

Find out about resources for family caregiver including placement options, community resources, support groups and more. This free class also covers emotional issues about caring for a loved one. Presented by Andrea Holmberg, Program Coordinator, Sharp Senior Resource Centers. Reservation required-WHEN- on Tuesday, April 10,2012-TIME- 1 to 2:30 p.m. -WHERE- at the at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 4425 Valeta St. San Diego. -INFO-Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at .www.sharp.com

Receive free information about Medicare, HMO’s supplement insurance or long-term care insurance from trained volunteer counselors of HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program). Appointment required. -WHEN- Wednesday, April 11,2012-TIME- from 9 a.m. to 12 at the Sharp Senior Health Center, 4320 Genesee Ave. #104, San Diego. -INFO- Call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 or 858-565-8772.

Thursday April 12-Coming of Age Film

An aging airport janitor who is mistaken for an airline pilot by a group of poor neighborhood children weaves fantastical stories to offer hope for a sad, and sometimes unchangeable, reality. The movie"Captain Abu Raed" is the selected Coming of Age film being presented free at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. RSVPs are strongly suggested. WHEN-Thursday April 12, 2012-TIME 6 PM-WHERE-at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park located in1649 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101INFO- Visit: click "Calendar"., or call 619.238.7559, or email to: info@mopa.org or www.mopa.org

Festivities, fun, friendship and food are the order of the day as the El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas Av, hosts its third annual Multicultural Family Fiesta.The fiesta is free of charge and the public is invited.
Many local organizations will take part in an information fair. Refreshments will be served, courtesy of a large number of El Cajon restaurants and markets. Stories, crafts and a wide variety of activities will round out the day. The event is sponsored by the San Diego County Library, with donations contributed by Point Loma Credit Union, Trepco West, Westfield Parkway Plaza, and Friends of the El Cajon Library.
The El Cajon Fire Department will hold tours of a fire engine, and the El Cajon Police Department's K-9 division will give a police dog demonstration.
"We created the Multicultural Family Fiesta in 2010 as a way of bringing the community together and celebrating the rich cultures that make up El Cajon," says Nancy Saint John, branch manager of the El Cajon Library. "The library is a welcoming center of the community, and it's important to introduce residents to its array of free services."
WHAT-El Cajon Library, 201 E. Douglas Av, hosts its third annual Multicultural Family Fiesta. WHEN- Saturday, April 14, 2012-TIME- from noon to 3 p.m. -INFO-For more information on the fiesta, call the library at (619) 588-3718 and visit: http://www.sdcl.org

The Taste of Julian is a self-guided tour of participating restaurants in downtown. Included this year is a free art stroll with original artworks by local artists.
For restaurant event attendees, free parking will be available at the Catholic church parking lot on 4th Street between "B" & "C" street. Print out your confirmation and present it to the parking lot attendant.
Prepaid tickets are $20.00 per person. You can purchase tickets on-line using PayPal. Tickets purchased on-line will be available for pick up day of event at Town Hall. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $25.00 and will be available at Town Hall and the above locations.-WHEN-April 14, 2012-TIME-1pm - 5pm- WHERE-Main Street Julian, CA -INFO- Please call: (760) 765-4758 or visit: www.jma.memberlodge.org for more information

FLearn about Holistic Approaches to Cardiovascular Disease, Frailty and End-of-Life Transitions, and Shingles and Pain Management from San Diego physician specialists who are experts in each field. Presented by the First Church Health Ministry Task Force.Seminar free. Luncheon $3.Childcare FREE- WHEN-Saturday, April 14, 2012- TIME-8:15a to 1:00p-WHERE-at First United Methodist Church 2111 Camino Del Rio S San Diego, CA 92108-INFO- Registration/Reservation required, go to website:http://www.fumcsd.org or call:(619) 297-4366 for more information.

San Diego County residents who have diabetes or know someone affected by the disease can learn more about the latest treatments and support care available at the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Health Fair. Attendees will be introduced to the newest diabetes medications and cutting-edge technologies, available diabetes education classes, support groups, diabetes products and clinical trial programs provided by the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute and Project Dulce. Pharmaceutical representatives also will be on site to demonstrate the latest in blood glucose meters and other diabetes products. During the fair, guest lecturer Dr. Matthew J. Levine, endocrinologist at Scripps Clinic, will present “Tips to Help You Manage Your Diabetes,” beginning at 12:15 p.m. in the Whittier BMS classroom located on the second floor. He will also be available for an “Ask the Doctor” question-and-answer session.
...The fair is free and open to the general public and clinical professionals and light refreshments will be served. WHEN-Sunday April 15, 2010-TIME- from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE- at the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute- Located on the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla campus at 9894 Genesee Ave. Free on-site parking is available. -INFO-For more information about the event, please call 1-800-SCRIPPS, or Stephanie Decker at 858-626-5669, or visit: www.scripps.org

Community health fair will be held at Embarcadero Marina Park North in San Diego (near Seaport Village). Meet Celebrity Emcee Hula Ramos from AJ in the Morning Show on Star 94.1 FM. Kids 12 & under are FREE Active Duty Military, Fire, Police & their Families, with ID, are $15 and Adults $25 (included complimentary walk T-shirt & tote bag) WHEN-Sunday, April 15, 2012- TIME-8 A.M to 1 P.M- WHERE-at Embarcadero Marina Park North in San Diego located at 849 W.Harbor Dr., San Diego 92101-INFO- For more information please visit: www.WalkForLife.us, or email to: info@CVDF.org or visit www.active.com to sign up online.

A Free Conference for Seniors & Families. Topics include: advance care planning, health care decision making, conversations with your family, financial concerns, community resources and much more. Reservation required.-WHEN-Wednesday, April 18, 2012- TIME- 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. -WHERE- at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr., La Mesa. Free continental breakfast and lunch. -INFO-Call 1-800-827-4277 or register online at www.sharp.com.

Friday April 20- Free blood pressure screenings

This year the National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) and Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) observances are held on April 21 to 28, 2012.

PUBLIC NOTICE >Deadline Approaching for Property Assessment Review

The County Assessor reminds property owners that the deadline to request a review of the assessed value is April 30, 2012. This year, the application for an Assessment Review can be submitted online. It is a self-explanatory form that does not take a lot of knowledge about the law, only an understanding of the current market value of your home.
Property owners who believe their property’s market value as of January 1, 2012 has dropped below its current assessed value can request the review before this year’s bill is issued. You can reference the assessed value on your property by looking at your 2011-2012 tax bill.
If you were granted a reduction last year – as more than 200,000 taxpayers were – you do not need to apply again this year as the assessed value last year will automatically be reviewed.
You can find more information on sdarcc.com or by calling (858) 505-6262. You can also call to receive a paper version of the form.

April is the National Alcohol Awareness Month