Hosted by Yolo County’s Probation, Employment and Social Services and Health departments, in conjunction with CommuniCare Health Centers, the forum will be facilitated by all of the agency partners.

Leslie Acoca from the National Girls Health & Justice Institute also will attend to discuss health issues specific to girls in the juvenile justice system, and how to assess their health care needs.

Yolo County has received a one-year planning Positive Youth Justice Initiative grant designed to improve the employment, social and health outcomes of “crossover youths” (who have been in both the child welfare and probation systems) and higher-risk probation youths.

The goal is to identify gaps in services and supports for these youths, develop collaborations with public and community-based organizations and strategize on how to meet their needs. The Probation Department serves as the lead agency for this grant.

The forum will include discussion of points of access in the health care system, health screening needs and a gender-specific health screening tool for girls in the system.

Physical health care medical providers for youths and their families are invited and should RSVP by Friday to Michele Threlkel at michele.threlkel@yolocounty.org.

For more information on the Yolo County Positive Youth Justice Initiative, visit https://sites.google.com/site/pyjiyolo/home.

This is the first of a series of guided tours of the museum on the third Wednesday of each month, featuring a host of expert guides. Admission is free for Hall of Fame and Davis Bike Club members, and costs $5 for others.

“This is a unique opportunity to see the museum if you’ve never been before or to ask the questions you’ve always wondered about the collection (How come it’s called a safety bicycle? Is it a fixed gear if it’s shaft drive?),” a news release said.

For more information, contact Kelsey Monahan at kmonahan@usbhof.org.

Admission is free for all participants, and all forms of vehicles are welcome. Bring a vehicle or just come to admire the assembled vehicles and talk to other car lovers.

The event takes place on the third Tuesday of each month from April through October. For more information, call Ron at 530-220-1973.

Magnolia, also known as Large Marge, arrived at the city of Sacramento Animal Care Services so heavy she could hardly walk. The problem? She was overweight and lethargic due to a thyroid deficiency known as hypothyroidism. Fortunately, the shelter veterinarian evaluated Magnolia and prescribed medication to control her condition, along with an appropriate diet, and Marge was transferred to the shelter’s adoption area.

Hypothyroidism can manifest itself in different animals but is the most common hormone deficiency in dogs. Although it occurs most frequently in middle-aged large breed dogs like Marge, it can develop in any purebred or mixed breed dog.

Since the thyroid gland controls metabolism, thyroid hormone deficiency can affect any part of the body including the skin, and nervous system. If untreated, a dog with hyperthyroidism may either die from complications of the disease or suffer with mild to severe problems that could be easily resolved.

Of course, not all overweight dogs are suffering from hypothyroidism. However, if a dog or cat is gaining weight and losing fur as well as energy while eating a healthy diet, it should be examined by a veterinarian. Diagnosis involves conducting blood tests and prescribing appropriate treatment. In general, treatment for hypothyroidism is pretty straightforward, involving inexpensive thyroid hormone pills and monitoring the condition over time.

Early diagnosis and regular treatment ensures that a beloved pet will enjoy a long and happy life.

To learn more, read:

* “Hypothyroidism, The Merck Veterinary Manual for Veterinary Professionals,” www.merckmanuals.com/vet/endocrine_system/the_thyroid_gland/hypothyroidism.html

* “Signs & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism in Dogs,” Lynn Peterson, e-How contributor, www.ehow.com/about_5374015_signs-symptoms-hypothyroidism-dogs.html

* “What Can Happen to a Dog with Hypothyroidism if It Is Not Treated?” Martha Adams, e-How contributor, www.ehow.com/info_12230327_can-happen-dog-hypothyroidism-not-treated.html

Happy Tails: When Kim Long’s daughter asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she answered, “Another dog.” This was shortly after Kim’s older male Queensland heeler Stonewall had died. When Kim’s daughter saw Marge at an offsite Food 4 Fido adoption event, she knew she’d found the dog for her mom. Apparently, Marge knew this, too, because she fell fast asleep on the ride back to the Front Street shelter where she sensed that this was her last night in a kennel.

The next day, Kim and her grandson, Evan, brought Marge home and renamed her Magnolia. Kim reports that Magnolia fit right in with her three other dogs — Verbena, Beauregard and Tallulah — as well as her two cats, T and Kaweah.

Kim has always cared deeply about animals and their welfare. All of her pets are rescues. Verbena was rescued from a puppy mill, Beauregar” adopted from the Bradshaw shelter and Tallula” from Sammy’s Friends. Magnolia’s hypothyroidism was never an issue because Kim knew this condition is easy to control with inexpensive medication. At this point, Magnolia is thriving in her new home and her weight is normal.

Ways to help: Want to have a good time while doing a good turn? Attend the third annual “Mutts & Martinis” event on Saturday at Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue in Woodland. For details go to www.rottsoffriends.com and click “Mutts & Martinis” at the top of the page.

— Evelyn Dale of Davis is a volunteer and advocate for shelter animal welfare; her column is published monthly. Reach her at pawsforthought@sbcglobal.net

The walking distance is about 4.5 miles in 90 minutes and the group returns to Peet’s about 8:30 a.m. Watch for wild turkeys, geese, raptors, coyotes and other wild visitors to Davis’ greenbelts, ponds, fields, ditches, dirt paths, gardens, Village Homes, the UC Davis campus and the Arboretum.

For more information, contact co-leaders Marilu Carter at mccarter@ucdavis.edu or 530-758-3151, Richard Crescitelli at rcresci@rocketmail.com or Barb Levin at barb7750@yahoo.com or 530-758-1589.