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
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Sunday, Mar 23, 2014

darrylmanzer021014It looks as if a lot of folks are ignoring the warnings about the drought. You know those warnings. We are out of water and have to save the endangered fish up in the river delta in Northern California. Yes, that warning.

Of course, we’re so worried about water usage and pollution that our friends at Newhall Land are going to add another 20,000 homes to the SCV. Wait until the freeway is built between Porter Ranch and Highway 126. Sure … you betcha. While I’m spreading all those rumors with a few facts, did you hear the one about LAX moving to Lancaster?

How about the news that NASA has a report that civilization is going to end soon? The report listed a whole bunch of sociological reasons for that happening. I never knew NASA was doing reports like that. Isn’t NASA all about space travel and airplanes and such?

Next thing you know, the Army will be building dams and levees. Sorry, they’ve done that for years. Maybe they should have built the St. Francis Dam. It might still be standing, had the Army Corps of Engineers done that job. (And maybe the Marines should run libraries.)

Been holding a yard sale of my stuff and a friend’s stuff at his place in Acton. I have a really nice roll-top desk (oak), a bookcase, file cabinets and other stuff. So folks drive up to the place and want to buy rusted circular saw blades and broken lamps. Lumber used for forms in concrete work is also popular. A coffee can of nails, screws, nuts and pieces of non-treasure sold for $12. We have more of those for sale. Come get them while supplies last.

There are some historical-hysterical artifacts, too. Things like election posters for Howard “Buck” McKeon. Makes me feel good he’ll be getting a retirement check soon for 100 percent of his base pay for the rest of his life. Our military folks got a reduction in retirement benefits this year. “Thank you, Buck.” (Can we find those signs, too?)

I was going to sell my railroad, but we’ve decided to build it on the property where the yard sale is located. I’ll bet we get it built long before the high-speed rail system is complete here in the formerly great state of California. Anyone want in on that action? Didn’t think so. (It is a model railroad named the BFDRR).

Thursday last at Senses on Main, in the recreated Roaring ’20s block party, the band came with flappers and spats and dancers who might have been arrested in our fair town in the 1920s. It was a hoot. And if wild jazz wasn’t your cup of tea (or bathtub gin), there was the Stardust Cowboy Band at the REP. You’ve got to hear them sometime. Loved both bands.

And speaking of Western music, April is nearly upon us, and the tickets for the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival are on sale. You’ve got to come see me on Main Street at Melody Ranch. I’ll be the one with the Stetson and boots, plus my “stinkin’ badge.” Yes, I have one, and I’m not afraid to use it.

I’ve not made it to the west side of the SCV in a while. I’ll have to wander over that way and see how the houses with the various shades of dirt are doing. Just curious. Is there still water flowing down the gutters during the drought?

I think the first casualties in a drought should be lakes, ponds and fountains that were created for landscaping purposes. If it isn’t natural, use that water for existing plants and trees until it is gone. I won’t comment on golf courses except to say water hazards and massive sprinkler systems aren’t exactly helping with the water shortage.

Not many days left until our election arrives. Are you planning to vote? If not, maybe you should plan to keep your mouth shut until you do vote. If you don’t vote, you can’t gripe about the politicians. It is an old rule I just made up. I wish it were a real rule … kinda-sorta.

Just because I told someone I’d write about the following subjects, I shall fulfill that promise now: Billboards, election signs, traffic jams, Scott Wilk’s travel adventures in the state capital, City Council attendees (including council members), and red-light cameras.

There. I’ve mentioned them.

And notice I didn’t say anything about Mentryville. I shall correct that error soon. Very soon.

Until Tuesday next, be well and be good. I’m watching your every move. Never trust a writer. You could become a character in a book who gets killed on page 24 or 25. You just never know.

 

 

 

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 Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

 

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. HenryDos says:

    Red light cameras are on Tuesday’s council agenda. Read the staff report (on the city’s website) and read James Farley’s excellent column, which was in yesterday’s scvnews.

    Here is what to do if you get a camera ticket.

    A red light camera ticket from ANY city (or the MTA) in LA County can be ignored, as the LA courts do not report ignored camera tickets to the DMV. This was revealed in LA Times articles in 2011. Skeptical? Google: Red light camera no consequence.

    Also, no matter where it came from, check to see if it is a Snitch Ticket, the fake/phishing camera tickets California police send out to bluff car owners into ID’ing the actual driver. Snitch Tickets say, at the top, “Courtesy Notice-This is not a ticket,” and you can ignore them, too! Skeptical? Google: Snitch Ticket.

  2. old granny says:

    – – it would be an honor to get knocked off in a book by you !

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
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Friday, Sep 13, 2024
As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
SCVNews.com