When the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, some churches hold special services or events. Outdoor celebrations heighten Food safety and skin care concerns. The cops are looking for drunk drivers. The fireworks show goes on. And, more—Fourth of July weekend, 2010 in West Orange County.

DUI Enforcement
Both the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Cypress Police Department announced DUI enforcement actions for the holiday weekend. The Sheriff’s Department released the following:
The “Avoid the 38” Orange County DUI Task Force today announced its officers will be out in full force during the 4th of July holiday weekend, cracking down on impaired drivers with an aggressive DUI enforcement blitz.

“Driving while drunk isn’t worth the risk. If you’ve had too much to drink this holiday period, you’d better find a safe and sober ride home or your chances of arrest are high,” said Sgt. Mark Daigle of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP will be putting additional officers on the streets and highways over the holiday weekend staffing, three DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints and numerous local DUI Roving Saturation Patrols.

The Sheriff’s Department cited state statistics to underscore the importance of the crackdown. During the July 4th holiday period July 3rd to midnight July 6th, 2009 there were a total of 373 alcohol- involved deaths and injuries on California roadways.

California’s Three-Year Independence Day Holiday Alcohol Involved Collision Data

2009 - 30 Killed, 363 Injured 2008 - 50 Killed, 498 Injured 2007 - 30 Killed, 262 Injured

“Too many people still fail to understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident, nor is it a victimless crime. With 1,233 people killed during the past three July 4th holidays, it’s vitally important to stop this destruction of lives and futures,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant.

Don’t let this Fourth of July blow up in your face. Remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911!

From the Cypress PD
The Cypress Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, July 3, 2010, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., on Lincoln west of Moody. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol-involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as insuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. A major component of these checkpoints is to increase awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers.

A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Cypress Police Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.

Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest.

23rd Annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Hosted by the cities of Los Alamitos, Cypress, Seal Beach, and the Community of Rossmoor in conjunction with the Joint Forces Training Base, the 23rd Annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular promises fun for the entire family from 4:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

The fireworks show begins promptly at 9:00 p.m. From 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. activities/Festivities include:
*Kids Fun Zone with inflatable rides, mechanical rides and carnival games for a small charge
*20 food vendors offer various types of delicious meals, snacks, drinks and desserts
*20 vendors offer information, giveaways, prizes and are selling exciting and enjoyable items for the entire family
*Main Stage – military bands
*Secondary stage – 97.1 AMP Radio playing your favorite hit songs
*Military Flyovers
*7:00 p.m. USA vs. Montenegro Men’s Water Polo Game at the USA Water Polo National Training Center
*7:45 p.m. Dignitary Remarks
*8:00 p.m. 40th Infantry Division Orchestra – Patriotic Music
*9:00 p.m. Fireworks Display timed to music

Sponsors include:
Sea Air Federal Credit Union, CARE Ambulance, The Shops at Rossmoor, Los Alamitos Pop Warner Football, Consolidated Disposal Service

Reminders:
*EVERYONE must bring a photo ID and children must be accompanied by an adult to enter the base
*NO dogs, alcohol, fireworks, RV’s/motor homes allowed on the Base
*Donations are being accepted to “Keep the Fireworks”

Summer Food Safety Tips from Los Alamitos Medical Center
Mouth-watering barbecue, tempting potato salad, delicious apple pie, and juicy watermelon wedges. These may be just a few of the delectable items gracing the picnic table this summer. But before you start loading up your plate and sitting down for a memorable meal, you might want to follow a few simple steps to make sure you don’t accidently serve yourself some helpings of salmonella, E. coli or listeria.

Food poisoning, or food borne illness, is more common during the warm summer months. That’s because those nasty little bacteria that are always present in the environment grow faster in temperatures from 90°F to 110°F; and since bacteria also like moisture, high humidity can help them flourish.

To avoid the unwanted and quite uncomfortable side-effects of food poisoning, here are a few ways to keep your food safe from the time you buy it at the store, to the time you put leftovers away in the refrigerator.

At the Grocery Store
Check expiration dates for meat, poultry or fish. Put meats in plastic bags so juices do not leak onto other items in the cart. If buying eggs, make sure none are cracked. Buy refrigerated items last. Avoid fruits with broken skins, unpasteurized milk, ciders or juices, and pre-stuffed fresh turkeys or chickens.

In the Kitchen
Wash your hands before preparing food. Cook or freeze raw meat, poultry or fish within two days. Clean all fruits and vegetables with water to remove any pesticides, dirt or bacterial contamination. Remove the outer leaves of leafy greens, such as spinach or lettuce. Do not put cooked food on a dish that was holding raw meat, poultry or fish. Marinade food in the refrigerator.

On the Grill
Use a thermometer to cook foods to proper internal temperatures, such as160°F for red meats and 180°F for poultry. Fish should flake easily when cooked properly. Avoid partially cooking food ahead of time since this allows bacteria to survive and multiply to the point that subsequent cooking does not destroy them.

At the Picnic
Do not leave food that requires refrigeration out for more than two hours (one hour if over 90°F). Keep food in insulated coolers at 40°F or below until ready to eat. Place coolers in the shade and avoid opening the lid too often. Keep foods hot by using chafing dishes and food cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice. Avoid serving dairy products at picnics.

In the Refrigerator
Refrigerate leftovers as soon as possible. Do not over pack the refrigerator because that inhibits air circulation and slows down the cooling process. Eat leftovers in three to five days. If leftovers are frozen, eat them within two months.

All foods can become contaminated, but properly handling, preparing and storing food can reduce the risk of food poisoning. If you have any doubts about the safety of food, throw it out. Better to be safe than sorry. For more information about safe food handling, visit the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service website at www.fsis.usda.gov.

Sunday Morning Patriotic Church Sing-along
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church invites all in the community to join in a patriotic sing-along on Sunday, July 4, 2010. The celebration of our nation's founding will take place in the sanctuary between worship services at 10:00 am to 10:15 am. Church services are at 8:30 am and 10:30 am in the sanctuary. A contemporary service, the Bridge, is also held at 10:30 am in Zirbel Hall. The church is located at 11600 Los Alamitos Boulevard, Los Alamitos CA 90720. the phone number is 562-493-2553.