Drop, Cover and Hold On in the Great California ShakeOut on October 18, 2012

The Southern California (West) area is highly susceptible to earthquakes and earthquake related effects. Numerous earthquake faults crisscross southern California and no one within the area resides more than 10 miles from an active fault. In addition to damage caused directly by groundshaking and related groundfailure, other hazards such as fires can easily start during and shortly after an earthquake.

The driving force of earthquakes in California is movement along the San Andreas Fault and the many associated faults within the San Andreas Fault System that form the tectonic boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Along this boundary, the Pacific Plate is moving slowly to the northwest relative to the North American Plate. The Pacific plate underlies most of the Pacific Ocean, as well as all California west of the San Andreas fault. When most people think of earthquakes in California, the San Andreas Fault is usually the first thing to pop in their minds, and while the San Andreas Fault is the longest fault in the state it is by no means the only one to be concerned with. Many other faults are found directly beneath our cities in some of the most densely populated areas.

Because you live in the Southern California (West) area, it is likely that a damaging earthquake will occur and affect you during your lifetime. You decide your fate. You decide your future. The steps you take now can mean the difference between your success or failure after the next big quake.

Start preparing on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 10:18 a.m. by participating in the Great California ShakeOut drill! Joins millions of other Californians and over 100,000 Ventura County participants who will Drop, Cover and Hold On on that date.

Learn more about the Great ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org. Register for the California ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org/california/register/index.php.

 Now, about that Drop, Cover and Hold On drill (more at www.shakeout.org/california/dropcoverholdon)

• DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!)
• Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
• HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

Regional Art Museum is Renamed California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks

The California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks (CMATO) is the new name for the Regional Art Museum (RAM).  The new name was announced at a town hall meeting on September 18, 2012.  The new name fully encompasses the mission and vision of the museum that will serve the communities of California. 

The development of a world-class art museum as a cultural centerpiece for our community is coming to fruition. The museum will be a vital resource and will offer access to, education of, and appreciation for contemporary and traditional fine arts. The museum will be located adjacent to the Civic Arts Plaza.

The CMATO's mission is committed to serving diverse audiences through the exhibition, interpretation, and exploration of the fine and design arts.

To learn more about the planned CMATO and how you can support efforts to bring it to fruition, visit www.cmato.org.

The CDC Warns That Turtles and Other Reptiles are Risky Pets Due to Salmonella

Turtles and other reptiles are risky pets

Turtles are colorful and cute and are often kept as pets. However, many people don’t know that turtles and other reptiles like snakes and lizards can carry harmful germs that can make people very sick. For this reason, turtles and other reptiles might not be the best pets for your family, particularly if there are children 5 years old and younger or people with weakened immune systems in your home.

Turtles and other reptiles  often carry a germ called Salmonella, but appear perfectly healthy and clean. People think Salmonella infections are caused only by contaminated food, but these germs can also be caught by touching animals, including reptiles or amphibians, such as frogs. Salmonella infections can also result from having contact with an animal’s habitat, including the water from containers or tanks where they live.

Salmonella germs can make people sick with diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and sometimes abdominal cramps. This illness is called “salmonellosis.” Some people can become so sick that they need to go to the hospital. In severe illnesses, the Salmonella bacteria may spread to the bloodstream and can lead to death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Young children are at increased risk for Salmonella illness because their immune systems are still developing. They also are more likely to put their fingers or other items that have come into contact with germs into their mouths. So, families with young children should avoid keeping turtles as pets, and turtles should not be allowed in schools or child care facilities with young children.

Since 1975, it has been illegal in the United States to sell or distribute small turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches in length. This size was chosen because young children are more likely to treat smaller turtles as toys and put them in their mouths. This ban, enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, likely remains the most effective public health action to prevent Salmonella infections associated with turtles.

Since 2006, CDC has received reports of 11 multistate outbreaks, including 6 ongoing outbreaks, and more than 535 cases of laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infections linked to contact with small turtles and their habitats. These illnesses resulted in about 85 hospitalizations and one death. Because many people with salmonellosis do not seek medical care or are not tested, it is estimated that 16 times as many illnesses occurred than were reported.

Tips to reduce the risk of illness from turtles and other reptiles:

1. Don’t buy small turtles from street vendors, websites, pet stores, or other sources.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after touching a reptile or anything in the area where they live and roam. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Adults should always supervise hand washing for young children.
3. Don’t let young children handle or touch reptiles or anything in the area where they live and roam, including water from containers or tanks.
4. Keep reptiles out of homes with young children or people with weakened immune systems.
5. Reptiles should not be kept in child care centers, nursery schools, or other facilities with young children.
6. Don’t touch your mouth after handling reptiles and do not eat or drink around these animals.
7. Don’t let reptiles roam freely throughout the house or in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens, pantries, or outdoor patios.

For more information on protecting yourself and your family from illness and to learn more about safely cleaning reptile habitats, please visit www.cdc.gov/Features/SalmonellaFrogTurtle.

Great Labor Day Weekend Culminates in a Rainbow Above the Conejo Valley

The weather was seasonably warm this Labor Day weekend and under partly cloudy skies most of the day. To me the weather seemed picture perfect, and I believe this rainbow photo taken from the North Ranch section of Westlake Village sums up what a great weekend it was.

Photo courtesy of Ed Garnett. Speaking of Ed, he is a Board Member of the Conejo Free Clinic, which provides medical and legal services to local residents in need. I encourage you to take a look at this worthy local non-profit that helps our local community. .

Here were some of those clouds a little earlier tonight above Conejo Mountain, seen from the 101 Freeway in Camarillo.