header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Sunday, Mar 10, 2013
Darryl Manzer

Darryl Manzer

Did anyone out there send me the right answers to my question last week about the five stoplights in town? Nope! Since all three of you want to know the correct answers, here they are:

The five SCV stoplights in 1968:

1. Castaic Junction at Highway 99 and Route 126.

2. Sierra Highway and San Fernando Road near Eternal Valley.

3. Solemint Junction corner of Sierra Highway and Soledad Canyon Road in Saugus.

4. Corner of Lyons Ave and San Fernando Road in Newhall.

5. Corner of Bouquet Canyon Road and Soledad Canyon Road in Saugus.

Then along came Valencia … the rest is history.

So, Tony, had there been a light at Highway 99 and Pico Canyon Road, I might not have hit the car with my motorcycle and thus would not have broken my legs.

I’d still like to figure out the light timing on Lyons Avenue. I’ll bet the city of Santa Clarita traffic engineers would, too. Just a thought in the form of a question: Why is it necessary to stop traffic at a stoplight when there are no cars in the cross street? “Nothing is coming so we’ll just stop all traffic so you can see that, too.”

Did y’all notice that the county traffic engineers continued the poor timing of lights and short spacing between those lights once Lyons turns into Pico Canyon Road? I wonder if the city and county have stock in the companies that manufacture the lights?

Am I the only who that has noticed the VERY short-timed yellow light when turning left onto Seco Canyon from Bouquet Canyon? It must last all of two seconds. I really enjoyed paying the $500 red light camera fine.

Does anyone know the required length of a yellow light? Maybe this one is short to serve as a revenue enhancement tool for Santa Clarita. Just like speed traps in the Southern United States. “Son, I’d let you go with a warning, but your California tags just told me you wouldn’t listen.”

I used to love turning north onto Sierra Highway from Placerita Canyon Road. Sometimes I even made a full stop. Other times there was always a member of the CHP there to let me know I hadn’t made a full stop. Thanks! Hello Judge McDougall. Here is my $35. (I was earning $3.10 per hour at that time.)

The United Kingdom is full of traffic circles. For those of us who disdain full stops at stop signs, they are perfect. Just slow a little and merge into the flow, ‘round and ‘round and soon, you know … you’re trapped in the circle. They are called “roundabouts” because you’ll go all ‘round about three times before you get to the street you didn’t want to take.

I was in Scotland for most of the summer of 1996. Steering wheel on the wrong side of the car , driving on the wrong side of the road, and the roudabouts went clockwise, not counterclockwise as here in the former colonies.  The trip between Glasgow and Campbelltown that first time was fun. I’m sure I also hit the curb so many times with the left front tire (or tyre) that the rental car (hire car) never steered the same again.

So, you ask, “Do you like the planned traffic circle at the intersection of Railroad, Newhall, and Main?” My answer: Sure! Why not? Be a great way to provide a gateway into Newhall. I can see a statue in the center of that circle. Maybe Old Henry Mayo Newhall or William S. Hart or Michael D. Antonovich or Frank Ferry or Howard “Take the Bucks” McKeon. No? Well how about a nice wooden oil derrick and pump, circa 1895? Maybe it could be used to drill for oil. Maybe that oil could pay for the traffic circle. Just some random thoughts I have now and then.

Now for more fun. Have all of you bought your tickets for the Cowboy Festival? It is coming quickly next month. Castaic Days follows soon after.  What are you doing on the Fourth of July? We have one of the best Fourth of July Parades in the USA right here in Newhall. More on that soon.

I do wonder how the traffic circle will affect the parade. Could be quite comical if all of the participants just keep going ‘round and ‘round and ‘round…

See all y’all next week.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries, published on Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

 

news_091211roundabout1

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

2 Comments

  1. About the only thing I see coming about this roundabout is a mess.

  2. TonyNewhall says:

    Darryl, I sent you the answers to the stoplights on the day after you posed it. I posted it to the blog following your article. I thought that was the way to do it. I think I got 4 of 5.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
SCVNews.com