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1884 - McCoy & Everette Pyle discover important Tataviam Indian artifacts in Bowers Cave (Val Verde) [story]
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The Good Long Road | Commentary by Jennifer Fischer
| Saturday, Apr 27, 2013

JenniferFischerWe’re making our way through the last half of the ABCs of the Santa Clarita Valley now with “N is for Newhall,” following Animals, Bicycle Trails, Central Park, Drums, Education, Family Dinner, Golf, Hiking, Imagination, Jammin’, Kids in the Kitchen, Libraries and “M” for Movies.

When it all started with “A for Animals,” I shared about William S. Hart Park, which is one of the many kid-friendly attractions of Newhall. Then, with “F” for Family Dinner, I featured the Egg Plantation. Newhall popped up again with “Kids in the Kitchen” as I suggested taking the family to the Farmers Market, which happens every Thursday on Main Street in Old Town Newhall starting at 4 p.m., and I also featured the Newhall Library during “L for Libraries” (obviously), but also for “M for Movies,” since the Newhall Library often hosts free movie events.

So, Newhall has been featured a lot in this column as an area that offers quite a bit for families. I would add to that list Old Orchard Park, Newhall Park and the Newhall Community Pool.

My focus this week for “N for Newhall,” though, is all about mom and dad getting a night out, so “N” is for “Night Out,” too.

You might not realize all that is happening in Newhall. In addition to the Farmers Markets each Thursday, with Thursdays@Newhall there is always something going on, particularly on the first and third Thursdays of the month.

RED-Slam_postcard_FrontEach first Thursday, the Art Slam hits Newhall from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. On May 2, RED installations and exhibits will be featured on the corner of Lyons Ave and Main Street, along with opportunities to create your own Red Art and, of course, sample some red wine.

On the third Thursday of each month, Senses takes over Main Street with live music, food trucks, adult beverages and more. On May 16, the theme is “Rock the Bike” with rock ‘n’ roll  music and, of course, bicycles. Bring your bike or just head down to Newhall to enjoy the music and festivities.

At every Senses event, the Repertory East Playhouse, located at 24266 Main Street, has a full-service cocktail lounge that is open to the public. The cocktail lounge is also open before and after every REP show, and you can take your beverage into the show with you. So, heading to the theater on date night might be a perfect kid-free way to spend an evening.

Other date-night ideas for Old Town Newhall include wine tasting at the Pulchella Winery, located at 24261 Main Street. Plus, at the end of May, the Newhall Refinery will be opening – a brewery run by the owners of The Egg Plantation, a favorite Newhall breakfast and lunch restaurant for many.

Beyond the fun nightlife now brewing in Newhall and the great parks and library that the whole family can enjoy, one of my favorite aspects of Newhall is the presence of so many locally owned businesses rather than chains on every corner. From Yoga Yoga on Walnut Street for yoga enthusiasts to the Poached Pear (Lyons Avenue near Walnut Street) for dessert lovers to Brave New World for comic lovers (also on Lyons Avenue), this is an area not to overlook.

Some other Newhall standouts for me are Take Two Thrift Shop on Main Street (I love thrift stores and find that this is one of my favorites in town) and Grand Panda (on Lyons Avenue) – two very different recommendations, I know: an upscale, delicious Chinese restaurant and a thrift store, but those are two of my other Newhall favorites, so there you have it.

To discover all of the wonderful vendors, shops, stores and eateries that Newhall has to offer, pick a Thursday night or weekend to head that way and explore, and be sure to check out the Old Town Newhall Block Party on May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for shopping, music and activities for kids.

Maybe one Thursday night, we will actually have a babysitter and I will see you there. Or, who knows? Maybe I’ll leave the boys at home with daddy and head down there with some friends.

 

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.

 

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