Smells, squeals & sounds of summer

The smell of fried food, squeals of excitement and popular cover bands. As I write these words, Summerfest is in full swing—literally. There’s a swing the size of a bus that holds 40 people.

An 11-year-old reader named Ryan recently emailed me to complain that Summerfest is always the same. He mentioned that the Zipper, big slide and roller coaster were all likely to return. However, he did say he likes the food-specifcally, the funnel cake—and added, “the snow cones are even better.”

Ryan is right; elements of Summerfest are the same, year after year. But after masks, social distancing and the rest, I think a return to predictability is what we need. And just as Ryan has demonstrated with his enjoyment of funnel cake and snow cones, Summerfest has something for everyone.

Our July issue also has something for everyone. This month, we’re bringing you a cover story on FV’s Youth in Government Day, a family recipe, a craft, several profles, updates from our city manager, and info about all of the events happening this month in Fountain Valley.

Specifcally worth mentioning are this year’s Concerts in the Park, which are always a blast. Grab a chair, some drinks and food, and enjoy a few hours with friends and neighbors. Hope to see you there.

Scott and Anne

SCOTT & ANNE ROGERS

By ANNE ROGERS Fountain Valley Living Magazine

Did you know Fountain Valley has 20 parks; a garbage truck has two steering wheels; and a SWAT vest weighs about 40 pounds?

These were among the facts taught to 200 third-grade students from Cox and Gisler elementary schools on June 8 during the City of Fountain Valley’s annual “Youth in Government Day.”

The goal of this event is to educate children on how a city works.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the city was able to bring back this informative and exciting day for local third-grade students. City Manager Maggie Le and other offcials were there to welcome the students as they arrived.

Since the third-grade curriculum includes lessons about the inner workings of city government, giving students the chance to observe the city's day-to-day operations and meet the people who keep it running provides them with an invaluable hands-on experience.

Students rotated through 16 stations throughout city hall and the police department. City employees, frefghters, police and paramedics were on hand to explain how they help the city and its community. The Fountain Valley Community Foundation provided a Sum- merfest bag for each student, and each station offered prizes and giveaways.

Students even had the opportunity to climb into the cab of a garbage truck, walk through an ambulance, sit in the City Council seats and make motions with foam gavels, hold a SWAT vest, and practice writing resumes for upcoming job interviews.

“I really liked this feld trip because it was informative and I learned a lot about the mayor and her job,” said Deanna Sherafati, a third-grade student at Gisler. “I loved sitting in her chair and being able to pretend to make laws. It was so much fun!”

One special moment was meeting

Offcer William Ferris, a past student from Gisler Elementary who started with the police department this year. He talked with students about his job in law enforcement, giving students the chance to see that they, too, can help their community one day.

But the absolute highlight of the trip for the students was meeting the team that manages the sewers.

Why?

At the end of the team's presentation, they handed each student a smiling poop emoji squishy and then led the kids in a chant of, “We’re No. 2! ”

In the end, nothing brings out the giggles in a child like a good bathroom joke.