Dr. Joaquin Arambula urges, “Protect yourself from the extreme heat.”

As extreme heat grips Fresno County and California this summer, I encourage you to take preventive measures to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some tips and information for dealing with the triple-digit weather:

• The California Department of Public Health offers these suggestions to prevent heat-related illnesses.

• Check in on your neighbors, especially seniors and those with health conditions.

• Sign up for California ISO’s Flex Alert notifications on their website, or by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

• Follow social media accounts for animal organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society and the ASPCA for helpful tips for protecting your pets.

• See if you meet income guidelines for the California Public Utilities Commission’s Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) to save money on the extra energy costs associated with extreme weather.
In addition, the City of Fresno offers cooling centers when triple-digit weather hits.

Fresno County offers information for cooling centers throughout the county.

You also can follow me on my Facebook and Twitter accounts, where I regularly post updates on heat-related topics. Stay safe!

Sincerely,

Dr. Joaquin Arambula
Assemblymember, 31st District

Return of the dead lake: Tule Lake

Tule Lake is an intermittent lake, in that it is occasionally filled up then dries out. But Tule Lake has been a dry lake for practically most of its existence; this lake was simply invisible, until now. Tule Lake is also an ancient lake (has existed for millions of years), one of only twenty. So what made it become a second thought for so long until now?

This large, ancient lake was drained by the Reclamation Service as a part of the Klamath Project in 1906 to make way for farmland. As such, it has remained a desolate cracked landscape, and it was certainly kept that way during California’s bout of droughts. But with the freak events of massive amounts of precipitation brought in by atmospheric rivers, Tule Lake is making a comeback, but at the cost at nearby residents.

A Day for the Dogs

Tower District presents A Day for the Dogs. This doggie event will be Sunday, May 21st, 10am-3pm, at 644 E Olive Avenue. It will consist of a Pooch Pageant, Parade, Pet Adoption and Pet Education. The event will also feature a dog competition; training and awareness demonstrations; a pet festival of vendors and information booths; snack vendors; a live family friendly DJ; and a parade of adorable pups and their families up and down the central Tower District business corridor. This resource event is free to the public to come on out and have a poochtacular good time!!!

Mahler here and now: Symphony No. 5

Fresno Philharmonic continues their multi-season survey of Gustav Mahler and his symphonic works with his heroic Symphony No. 5, which contains the famous Adagietto movement. The concert opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Rounds for Piano and String Orchestra, an evocative new work featuring the remarkable and resolute artistry of world-renowned pianist Awadagin Pratt.

This event will take place on Saturday, February 11th at 7:30pm in downtown Fresno. Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend!