Parties, Fireworks, and ANXIETY!

It’s another Independence Day here in the good ‘ol United States of America, filled with barbecues, baseball games and some wholesome fun for the family, topped off with the age-old tradition of lighting up the night sky with dazzling fireworks.  There’s only one problem… many of our beloved pets have no idea what’s going on and become frightened and anxious.

The hysteria caused by the loud noises of fireworks and celebrations can lead animals to destructuve behavior.  Birds might begin to pick at themselves, dogs can jump through windows to get in, or out of, the house and away from perceived danger, cats claw furniture, and the list goes on and on.  Many pets escape from their homes during this time and this can lead to fatal consequences.  To help take the edge off your pets’ fear and keep them safe, we recommend the following:

A light sedative, such as Acepromazine, is highly effective in calming your dog’s nerves.  It’s a pill that is given 4 hours prior to the fireworks show, or big party.  Dogs may become a little drowsy and mostly want to sleep, but that is much better than them being terrified. 

Another idea is to keep your pet in an area where they cannot escape.  We sometimes put our cats in a pet carrier about 30 minutes before the fireworks begin.  Another good place to put an anxious pet is in a small bathroom or laundry room because usually windows are higher than normal and pets would not be able to jump through in an attempt to escape.

Make sure birds’ cages are locked properly, and place a cover or blanket over the cage so they will feel calmer; maybe put on some soothing music or other sounds to help drown out the sound of the fireworks.

If you’re not into watching fireworks yourself, then it’s always a comfort to your pets to have you there with them at such a scary and confusing time.  Make sure to have some treats ready and lots of comforting words, hugs and pats on the head.

We hope these these tips help reduce your pets’ stress during this exciting and loud holiday.  Here’s wishing you all a safe and happy Independence Day!

(FREE) Concerts In the Park

Happy Flag Day

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States of America! 

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.

The week of June 14 is designated as “National Flag Week.”  During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week.  The flag should also be displayed on all government buildings.  Some organizations hold parades and events in celebration of America’s national flag and everything it represents.

Riverside Recycling Workshop

The Wood Streets Green Team is holding a Recycling Workshop on reducing, reusing, and recycling household waste on Sunday, June 12, from 3 pm to 5 pm.  The workshop will be held at theHabitat for Humanity ReStore located at 2180 Iowa Avenue in Riverside.

All attendees are encouraged to bring any household items to the meeting to drop off as a donation to the ReStore.  These will be qualified for tax purposes and receipts will be available.

The purpose of the workshop is to engage and educate the Riverside community on the practices and benefits of recycling.  The workshop will focus on how recycling can be beneficial for the community and the environment.  Recycling resources available to Riverside residents will be discussed.

Some of the questions answered during the workshop are:

• Why should I recycle?  What does it do?  What are the benefits?  Is it worth the trouble?
• What happens to my stuff after I toss it in the blue bin?
• What can I toss into the blue bin?  What can be recycled?
• I’ve heard recycling can actually be harmful to the environment. Is that true, and why?
• What about other waste — paint, construction material, cardboard, batteries, computers, e-waste?
• What about household goods?
• What’s the idea behind Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle?
• How successful is Riverside in its recycling efforts?

For more information, please contact Darin Salazar, Wood Streets Green Team representative, at 951-682-0324, or dsalazar@sbcglobal.net.

20th Annual Vintage Home Tour

Today, Saturday, May 14, 2011 is the 20th Annual Riverside Vintage Home Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which is organized by The Old Riverside Foundation.

The tour will feature six historic homes, including the Ames-Westbrook House, an 1888 Queen Victorian home, which is also a Riverside Historic Landmark!

Tickets are $18 the day of the tour and include admission to the restoration faire at the Peter J. Weber House at 1510 University Avenue, and the chance to win a lovely gift basket. Click here for a map of the tour homes.

The tour proceeds are used to encourage the conservation of historic neighborhoods, sponsor educational programs on historic preservation, assist homeowners and building trades to learn preservation requirements and techniques for the preservation and maintenance of heritage structures, and promote dialogue among all preservation groups and individuals.

The Old Riverside Foundation is a non-profit, civic organization incorporated July 25, 1979 and is dedicated to the recognition, appreciation, and preservation of the built environment throughout Riverside and the Inland Empire.

Riverside Wienerfest 2011

It’ll be a day at the races for dog lovers in the Inland Empire as Sunny Oasis Rescue presents Wienerfest: Wieners-n-Wheels 2011!

Not only will you see Dachshund races which begin at 11 am, there will also be a custom car show, musical entertainment, canine costume contest, fabulous food booths, and a variety of vendors. 

Dogs will be available for adoption — click here to see some of their smiling faces and wagging tails!

Where:  Fairmount Park
When:    Saturday, May 7, 2011 
                 10 am to 3 pm

Make sure you bring your love of dogs and your hands, for some petting.  Sunny Oasis Rescue is an all-volunteer canine rescue organization that admits it has a soft spot for Dachshunds.  More information can be obtained by calling (951) 233-2413 or (951) 780-6718.

See you at the races….

Windy Open House

Wind, rain, snow, sleet, extreme heat … nothing prevents us from holding an open house!  Talk about dedication!  Today we will be at 4174 Ramona Drive in the historical Wood Streets neighborhood in Riverside, California. 

Two on a lot: this home (with guest apartment) was custom built in 1938 by current owner’s grandfather.  This property has been in the same family for 73 years!!  Click here to read more information about this great investment property with a positive cash flow.  Check out the photos too! 

Where:       4174 Ramona Drive, Riverside 92506
When:         12:00 to 4:00

Maybe you’ll brave the Southern California wind and come see us today.  Have a wonderful Sunday!

“Art In The Yard” Craft Show

Locally hand-crafted gifts with you in mind!  A perfect way to spend your day and a perfect place to find Mother’s Day gifts and beyond.  From funky to steampunk, grunge to elegant pearls, you’ll find jewelry, wood working, ceramics, blown glass, stained glass, mixed media art, Mexican folk art, wearable textile art, assemblage, fine art, garden art, a chair masseuse, and more!

This bi-annual event is organized by some artistic Wood Streets neighbors (click here to see their unique rubber art stamps website) in the back yard of their home the week before Mother’s Day and the week before Thanksgiving. 

Where:     4182 Linwood Place, Riverside, CA (click here for map)
When:      Saturday, April 30th, 2011
Time:        10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You’re welcome to enjoy their hospitality by helping yourself to refreshments and most importantly, you’ll be supporting local women artists and keep America working!  Cash or checks preferred.

See you there!

How-To-Garden Tour

Today, Sunday, April 17th, from 11 am to 5 pm, come on out to the historical “Wood Streets” neighborhood to marvel over six private gardens that demonstrate sustainable gardening techniques including edible landscaping, composting, drip irrigation, and water-efficient landscaping including many native plants. A local expert will be available at each garden to answer visitors’ questions.

A donation of $5 will help fund local community garden projects.  The Wood Streets Green Team supports the use of bicycles and other forms of alternative transportation during the tour.  

All are welcome to attend — no RSVP necessary! 

For more information and a map of the tour, please click here to go to the Wood Streets Green Team website.

Easter Egg-stravaganza

Come on down to Main Street, between University and 5th Street on Saturday, April 16th, from noon to 4:00 p.m. for an Easter egg hunt, Easter egg contest with prizes, face painting, Easter Bunny and photo ops, live entertainment, shopping and dining, and more!

Easter egg contest rules:  Hop into a downtown business to collect your Easter egg (one per family, per business).  One Easter egg at each business will contain a special prize.  Get that prize and have the opportunity to register for the GRAND PRIZE!  Must be present to win.  Announcement of winner will be awarded at the close of event at 4 p.m. at the RDP booth(Riverside Downtown Partnership) on Main between Mission Inn and 6th Street.

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