Stay calm, cool and hydrated

Not everyone has the luxury of access to a pool in their backyard or apartment/condominium complex.

Given the cost of electricity, running the air conditioning may be prohibitive.

A drive to a nearby bay or beach requires not only an investment of time but also a roll of the dice, depending on the bacteria level in the ocean should you choose to dip your toes into the Pacific.

As the heat increases in these waning days of summer the quest to find an affordable and accessible means to stay cool becomes almost frenetic. Where the !@#* can one find relief from the heat?

My favorite place to linger is the dairy and egg freezer at any Costco. When the temperature outside climbs beyond 80 degrees I like to window shop for milk, cream, butter, and eggs in the warehouse’s magnificent walk-in freezer.

On any given day at any given hour the wide aisles of Costco could teeming with people but the freezer seems to be the one area where people can’t get in and out of quickly enough.

Of course access to Costco’s cool zone is a little elitist in that shopping at the store requires a membership card.

Freezer sections in grocery stores are free and accessible to everyone but many stores have their frozen goods behind glass doors or vinyl strips, sealing away the arctic air.

Fortunately the county and local municipalities offer residents free cool zones for anyone who needs respite from hot air and blazing sunshine.

In Chula Vista the Norman Park Senior Center offers climate controlled relief Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The city’s Civic Library offers an outdoor patio as well as air conditioned refuge from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday–Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. At the South Branch on Orange Avenue hours are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Cool Zone hours at Otay Ranch Branch on Birch Road are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 12 -6 p.m. Sunday.

Finally, the National City Library offers respite from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday- Thursday, 10 a.m to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Wherever you go be cool and stay hydrated.