Wikipedia defines staycation as, "A period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in the financial crisis of 2007-20010 in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high. The term was added to the 2009 version of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals. Some staycationers also like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date, planning ahead, and avoiding routine, with the goal of creating the feel of a traditional vacation".

We hope you will enjoy this week's feature article 21 "Staycation" Ideas.

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Don't forget to always check the Annual Events Calendar for the expanded details and schedule on each of the events listed below. Remember this is just a list of 12 events but there are so many more to discover on CVParent.com!

We hope you have a fun, family-filled weekend!

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FORT WASHINGTON, PA (July 8, 2010) - McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., is recalling 21 lots of over-the-counter medicines. The lots involved, are sold in the United States, Fiji, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica. This action is a follow-up to a product recall that McNeil Consumer Healthcare originally announced on January 15, 2010, which was initiated following consumer complaints of a musty or moldy odor, which has been linked to the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). The risk of serious adverse medical events is remote. This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement. For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should log on to the internet at www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Visit the website for a complete list of products being recalled.

I like to define "Staycation" or Day Tripping as discovering and enjoying local adventures without breaking the bank or driving for hours and hours - no flights required.  This is what I have planned with my family for the next few weeks and most of the adventures were right here in the Inland Empire and may be found on the CVParent.com Annual Events Calendar. 

Here are some ideas (not in any particular order) to get your thirst for adventure going:

1. Enjoy a FREE Concert in the Park. Many cities offer them and most are listed on the Annual Events Calendar. Enjoy FREE concerts through the cities of Corona, Chino, Chino Hills, Ontario and Eastvale.
2. Enjoy a FREE Family Movie Series.  There are several theatres that offer FREE or almost free family movies. Showing are usually on Tuesdays or Wednesday during summer months, a.m. showtimes, previously shown movies, not current releases.
3. Farmer's Market - I LOVE a great Farmer's Market and there are several to choose from locally or if you feel up to a short drive, you may want to try the one in Redlands. It's touted as one of the best in California. We went to the Farmer's Market in Chino Hills on Wednesday. This was a hit with my family not just because of the vendors but there is a GREAT water feature in the middle of the shopping center. Don't forget your towels:)
4. Kids Eat FREE - days and participating restaurants vary. There is a list of restaurants on the Annual Events Calendar. These restaurants were all submitted by parents. Enjoy!
5. Library Storytimes: Corona, El Cerrito, Chino Hills, Norco and more!
6. First Friday Playtime at Chino Youth Museum. Enjoy a museum that caters to the kids.
   
7. Living History Flying Day at Planes of Fame Air Museum. 1st Saturday of every month.
8. Paint a ceramic piece together at Ceramic Cupboard in Norco (www.ceramiccupboard.net) or Paint a Memory in Corona.
9. Check out the "living pictures" with this year's theme Eat, Drink and Be Merry at the Pageant of the Masters going on daily through August 31st in Laguna Beach.
10. Head off to the Orange County Fair going on July 16- August 15th at the OC Fair Grounds.
    
11. Put up purple ribbons in honor of Purple Ribbon month beginning in August! www.4RKidsSake.com
    
12. Watch art demonstrations at the Saw Dust Art Festival going on now through August 29th in Laguna Beach.
13. Have a family ice cream social on Tuesday or Wednesday night. It's $1.00 scoop Tuesday's every week at the Eastvale Baskin Robbins location or enjoy $1.00 Scoop Wednesday at Thornton's Ice Cream in Norco.
14. Take in a FREE Movie in the Park with the City of Chino Hills . Upcoming dates for Chino Hills are July 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3 & 10th . Bring blankets and have a family picnic.
15. Make it a BEACH day! Pack a picnic, get some toys, bring your sunscreen and head off to the beach for the day. I went to a location that was a bit of a drive but it had tide pools and my kids were in heaven. If you want to skip the drive, take a Metrolink train to an Orange County Beach location: www.metrolinktrains.com
16. Camp Under the Stars. Your own backyard is just the place! Get some friends together, pitch a tent, pop some popcorn, roast marshmallows and share scary stories. Don't forget to turn off the sprinklers so you don't get soaked in the morning.
17. Visit the best kept secret of South Rancho Cucamonga - Guasti Park.  FREE water playground for only $7.00 parking (M-F), $10.0 (Sat. & Sun.).  The water playgroud is huge! My kids can't stop asking to go back. What a hit! If you want to enjoy their pool and water slides, there is an additional fee per person. Otherwise, pack a picnic and have a ton of fun for just the parking fee. www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/parks
18. Beat the Heat! If you don't mind the drive, take a day trip to Big Bear Lake. There is so much fun to be had. My kids enjoyed the Discovery Center and hike on the North Shore. There is also fishing, swimming, camping and more. I highly recommend renting kayaks that seat 2 people and taking a tour of the lake. Bring lunch and lounge on one of the rock out-croppings. Visit www.citybigbearlake.com
19. Old school fun at Tom's Farm. Old Time Carousel, train ride, mine for gems, drive a tractor, shooting gallery, pony rides, petting zoo, magic show, live entertainment and so much more. Visit: shop.tomsfarms.com 
20. Hit the bowling alley! My kids have a great time every time we go bowling. You can register for great coupons that will get emailed to you from Brunswick Bowling. The coupons make this an easy, inexpensive family night out. Visit: www.bowlbrunswick.com
21. Catch a Real, Live, Rodeo! I don't know about you but my family has never seen a professional rodeo live. Did you know that the 26th Annual Norco Mounted Posse PRCA Rodeo from Aug. 20-22nd brings in the biggest names in professional bull riding? www.norcoprcarodeo.com
    

I hope you have enjoyed these ideas as much as I have in researching them! We can't wait to try them all out before the summer's end. Now get out there and have some FUN!

Horsemanship, Sportsmanship And Riding At Foxcroft Farm

Reprint from Eastvale Community News

By Shannon Higgins

Chino - The motto around Foxcroft Farm is, "The best thing for the inside of a person is the outside of a horse." Owner Bobby Howard has felt that way since he was about 9 years old. Howard has been in the horse riding business for 48 years and loves teaching others about how to be safe around horses, how to properly care for them and of course, how to ride. "It's not like going to work," he said. "This is something I like to do. We want to teach the kids that while it is hard work, it's a fun thing to do."

Children who take lessons at Foxcroft learn about safety, feeding, equipment handling and care, and grooming. Howard teaches all levels of riding, and has even taught professionals as well. "We also teach the older students to help the younger children," Howard said. "Our philosophy is good horsemanship, good sportsmanship and to help each other out."

In addition to riding lessons, students are offered the opportunity to go to horse shows, as well as other fun events during the holidays. "We're a family-oriented stable," Howard said. "We have a Christmas party every year for the families who train with us and around Halloween, we have a sleep-over in the barn that we decorate."

Foxcroft also offers horse boarding, and trains, buys and sells horses. Week-long riding camps are available throughout the summer, as well as during winter and spring break. Day camps are also offered on various holidays throughout the year. "I am one of the few people that do riding camps," Howard said. "It's kind of a lost art. A lot of trainers don't like to do it because it takes a lot of patience." Every week until September, students can sign up for a summer riding class that is held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $150 per week with no registration fee.

To get more information on all the services Foxcroft Farm offers, visit www.foxcroftfarm.com or call (909) 923-0084. Foxcroft Farm is located at 15389 Carpenter Ave. in Chino, 91710.